ACEA and Five Top Automotive Groups Jointly Call for Transparency from Avanci in Patent Pool Licensing

2024/07/11
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The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), together with five top automotive groups, has sent a joint letter to Avanci, a leading patent pool operator for licensing essential 5G technology used in connected vehicles. The letter urges Avanci to enhance transparency regarding the patents included in its program and to adhere to the principles outlined in the EU's draft Regulation on Standard Essential Patent (SEP) licensing. The automotive groups specifically inquire about the assessment of patent essentiality and the determination of fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) royalty rates. Without prompt adoption of the EU's proposed SEP licensing rules, the automotive sector and others offering connected products and services within the Internet of Things (IoT) will continue to encounter challenges in obtaining licenses for wireless technology on fair and reasonable terms.
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