Via Licensing announces development efforts for an LTE patent pool

SAN FRANCISCO, USA: As a part of its ongoing effort to bring industry constituents together to advance the licensing of Long Term Evolution (LTE) essential patents and to define milestones for launching a successful LTE patent licensing program, Via Licensing organized a meeting with key LTE stakeholders on September 23, 2009.

Thirteen companies from three continents, representing a broad spectrum of the LTE marketplace (including handset manufacturers, network equipment manufacturers, wireless carriers, chipmakers, and essential patent holders) discussed issues surrounding the development of an LTE joint patent licensing program (commonly referred to as a “patent pool”).

The results of this interactive collaboration are intended to provide a solid framework for the efficient formation of a successful LTE patent pool.

“The wireless industry has high expectations and unique requirements for an LTE patent pool that addresses the needs of licensors, licensees, and the overall LTE marketplace. The complexity of the LTE structure demands more sophisticated licensing models than we have seen in the past, and we are excited to be on the forefront leading these discussions,” said Jean-Michel Bourdon, president of Via Licensing.

Building on Via’s history of successful patent pools, experience in 4G technologies and collaboration with the industry, Via will work to deliver an LTE patent licensing program that simplifies the commercialization of LTE technology and accelerates its adoption by the marketplace.

Via Licensing will host a meeting of essential LTE patent holders on January 28 and 29, 2010, in San Francisco, California. Any entity that believes it has patents or pending patent applications that are essential (as described in the LTE Platform patent call located at www.vialicensing.com) is encouraged to submit their patents for evaluation prior to November 6, 2009, in order to assure participation in the LTE patent pool formation process.