InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[olddog967]

j70: While not specific to "MAJOR oems" here is what IDCC has to say about the problems in signing new licensees.

From 10-K, Risk Factors:

Ability to Enter into New License Agreements
We face challenges in entering into new patent license agreements. During discussions with unlicensed companies, significant negotiation issues arise from time to time. For example, manufacturers and sellers of 2G products can be reluctant to enter into a license agreement because such companies might be required to make a significant lump sum payment for unlicensed past sales. Also, certain of the inventions we believe will be employed in 3G products are the subject of our patent applications where no patent has been issued yet by the relevant patent reviewing authorities. Certain prospective licensees are unwilling to license patent rights prior to a patent’s issuance. Additionally, in the ordinary course of negotiations, in response to our demand that they enter into a license agreement, manufacturers raise different defenses and arguments including defenses and arguments (i) challenging the essential nature of our patents, (ii) claiming that their products do not infringe our patents and/or that our patents are invalid, and (iii) relating to the impact on them of litigation or arbitration in which we are involved. We can not be assured that all prospective licensees will be persuaded during negotiations to enter into a patent license agreement with us, either at all or on terms acceptable to us.


http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/354913/000119312506053861/d10k.htm