Wanted: experts on SEP licensing and FRAND

12-09-2018

Adrian Howes

Wanted: experts on SEP licensing and FRAND

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When deciding who to pick for its expert group on standard-essential patents, the European Commission should focus on people with real-world experience in licensing and valuation, says Adrian Howes of Nokia.

The European Commission is setting up a group of experts on the licensing and valuation of standard essential patents (SEPs). The group’s success will depend heavily on its members and the opinions and recommendations it can formulate.

Last November, the Commission’s Communication on “Setting out the EU approach to Standard Essential Patents” covered several SEP-related issues, including principles for licensing SEPs on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.

Over the last few years there has been debate at industry and policy level about these issues. More recently, some principles have evolved from court decisions around the world, often based on good industry practices. The Communication largely adopted many of these, and set out some action points.


Nokia, Adrian Howes, FRAND, standard-essential patent, patent licensing, royalties, European Commission, valuation, mobile device, internet of things

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