InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[mschere]

Samsung has a HUGE Patent porfolio, including 802.xx, Wibro, OFDM and WCDMA/TD-SCDMA..There are many issues to be resolved in a Samsung/IDCC 3G License and WLAN product Alliance..The issue of 2G Monies is a no-brainer, but IDCC will have to be creative in their 3G/WIMAX negotiations with Samsung. The IDCC signing of LG for 3G was far less complicated, since LG has little or none of the above 802.xx, WIMAX, WIBRO issues..Keep in mind that while Ericsson is suing Samsung for GSM infringement in 4 Countries, they are not suing for 3G!

As long as we are sharing speculations on a quiet Sunday afternoon,... one of my points of interest here is the ICC arb process.

The IDCC/Samsung arb hearing was held back in January and I am thinking that it should be about ready for final approval by the ICC's review counsel. If I remember correctly, that ICC's "final review" counsel meets at the end of each month and arb awards are sent out within a few days. I'm guessing that only gives Samsung a few more weeks to cut a 3G deal that leverages 2G payments due on their terms.

After that, Samsung will have an ICC award nailing down their 2G payment obligations, AND,... they will STILL be at risk for infringement litigation on their 3G sales at Cingular right here in the good old U.S.of A. Tic, toc,...