Ford joins Avanci patent pool
Ford Motor Company has become the latest automaker to join Avanci, a patent pool that handles the licensing of a portfolio of patents deemed essential to the 2G, 3G and 4G standards.
Avanci specialises in operating a large pool of “connected vehicle” patents essential to wireless technologies utilised in cars, with Nokia, Sharp and Conversant Wireless all licensors in the pool.
Early in May, General Motors became the 37th automotive brand to license through the Avanci marketplace. A total of 41 auto brands and more than 65 million vehicles are now licensed by Avanci.
With the agreement, Ford gains access to all 4G, 3G, and 2G standard-essential patents owned by the 49 patent owners currently participating in the programme.
Kasim Alfalahi, founder and CEO of Avanci, said: “Avanci extends a warm welcome to Ford, one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. Ford is the fifth US-based automaker to join the growing list of companies who have adopted the industry solution offered by our independent marketplace.”
The announcement comes just weeks after the Munich Regional Court held that Ford had infringed an SEP owned by Japanese patent licensing firm and member of the Avanci pool, IP Bridge.
The Munich court found that Ford had infringed the patent, EP 22 94 737 B1, and ordered a permanent injunction, banning nationwide sales and production on Ford’s cars able to establish an internet connection.
However, the lawsuit was withdrawn yesterday, May 31, ending the potentially costly injunction for Ford.
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