[Brussels: Friday, 26 October 2018] Francisco Mingorance, Executive Secretary of IP Europe, commented on the European Commission’s announcement of its expert group on licensing and valuation of standard essential patents, saying:

“Europe should lead efforts to ensure the established system of fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing of standard essential patents (SEPs) remains fit for purpose. Something that is particularly important as the licensing environment evolves and expands in the era of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT).

“The work of the expert group will be absolutely vital to help deepen the Commission’s expertise on industry licensing practices, sound IP valuation and the determination of FRAND and ensure continued European leadership in innovation and the growth of Europe’s digital economy.

“We invite the expert group to closely consider the CEN-CENELEC Workshop Agreement entitled “Principles and guidance for licensing Standard Essential Patents in 5G and the Internet of Things, including the Industrial Internet”. The principles and guidance set out within were drafted collaboratively by technology developers and users with decades of experience in SEPs licensing and can help European SMEs and other new entrants to wireless technology licensing in the 5G and IoT era understand the licensing practices that enabled the rapid global adoption of 4G wireless technology and the smartphone.

“IP Europe, and the many large and small companies and research organisations it represents, are committed to ensuring continued European leadership in innovation and the growth of Europe’s digital economy and stand ready to support the work of the expert group.”

– END –

About IP Europe

IP Europe brings together R&D intensive European companies and research institutes committed to innovation, from SMEs to global enterprises and non-profit research entities operating in a variety of industrial sectors. They all share a common goal: to maintain, at all policy levels, strong patent protection for innovators and support recognized fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory standardisation policies adopted by consensus that preserve fair compensation for innovators. IP Europe supports the use of Injunctive Relief against patent infringers and free riders that rely on R&D investments made by others to earn higher profits.

IP Europe was originally launched by Ericsson, Airbus and France Brevets. The Fraunhofer Gesellschaft participates in IP Europe in its capacity of academic advisor.

For more information, contact: 

Laura Lischinski
laural@europa-insights.com
+32 493298882