InterDigital and Samsung in rare SEP arbitration pledge

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2024

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

InterDigital and Samsung in rare SEP arbitration pledge

Samsung sign on headquarters building in Milan, Italy. The Samsu

The Samsung deal is one of three new licence agreements announced by InterDigital today

InterDigital announced three new patent licences today, January 3, including a deal with Samsung that includes a binding arbitration process to set a royalty rate.

InterDigital and other standard essential patent (SEP) owners have publicly challenged implementers to enter into arbitration to resolve their SEP disputes. However, implementers have not always been keen.

Lord Justice Richard Arnold, a judge at the England and Wales Court of Appeal, has also promoted arbitration as a solution to what he recently called the dysfunctional state of SEP dispute resolution.

Samsung’s previous licence, which covered cellular wireless and video technology patents, expired on December 31.

“While we always prefer to conclude our licence agreements through amicable good faith negotiation, independent binding arbitration provides an effective mechanism for resolving licensing disputes,” said Liren Chen, CEO and president of InterDigital.

“I welcome Samsung’s willingness to enter into a new licence with us and their commitment to work through the remaining issues in arbitration,” Chen added.

Implementers have not always been ready to enter into arbitration, with parties frequently going to court or before other statutory bodies in disputes over rates, essentiality, and validity.

InterDigital today also announced new licensing deals with LG and Panasonic, covering products including TVs and computers. There is no indication those deals also involve arbitration.

Elsewhere, the US-based R&D firm is facing a lawsuit from Swiss semiconductor company U-Blox, which accused InterDigital of refusing to license 3G and 4G patents on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.

more from across site and ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Sources say they have found the social media platform Bluesky to be a good place to post IP content, while others plan to watch the site closely
The USPTO’s internal ban on AI use, a major SEP ruling rejecting an interim licence request, and the EUIPO’s five-year plan were among the biggest talking points
Speaking to Managing IP, Kathi Vidal says she’s looking forward to helping clients shape policy when she returns to Winston & Strawn
AA Thornton and Venner Shipley’s combination creates a new kid on the block, but one which could rival the major UPC players
Amit Aswal explains why you should take on challenges early in your career and why the IP community is a strong, trustworthy network
Five members of Qantm’s leadership team, including its new managing director, discuss how the business is operating under private equity ownership and reveal expansion plans
In our latest UPC update, we examine an important decision concerning the withdrawal of opt-outs, a significant victory for Edwards, and the launch of a new Hamburg-based IP firm
The combined firm, which will operate under the Venner Shipley name and have 46 partners, will go live in December
Vidal, who recently announced her departure from the USPTO, said she decided to rejoin the firm because of its team and culture
Osborne Clarke said John Linneker’s experience, including acting for SkyKick in the seminal dispute with Sky, will be a huge asset to the firm
Gift this article