InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[olddog967]

Data_Rox: Did some quick research in regard to the 3G Patent Platform. Some of the interesting items I noted were


This was the press release announcing the platform in 1999. IDCC was listed as one of the original participating members of the group

Industry group plans a 5% maximum royalty for 3G Systems

Paris, 30 June 1999 - The world’s leading wireless companies have completed the definition of a 3G Patent Platform for handling the IPR concerns first highlighted by the standardization bodies. The 3G Patent Platform provides a voluntary low cost but fair arrangement for evaluating, certifying and licensing Essential Patents for third generation mobile communication systems (3G Systems). The introduction of this arrangement will contribute towards both the commercial viability of 3G Systems and to catalyze market growth.

The 3G Patent Platform has been defined within the framework of the UMTS IPR Working Group during the period February 1998 - June 1999. The 3G Patent Platform was presented to the UMTS IP Association today during the General Assembly and its specification, available from the Secretary, will be distributed among 3G manufacturers and operators for consideration during the period July-August 1999.

The 3G Patent Platform could be applicable to all the technologies currently under definition within the ITU IMT 2000 framework.

When the Maximum Cumulative Royalty (MCR) covering the 3G Essential Patents per product category (i.e. terminals, infrastructure, test equipment and others) will go into effect, it will be set at 5% of the ex-works sales in order to contain the total amount of royalties paid by any one licensee. The royalties collection point has been set to the last manufacturer in the manufacturing value added chain so that licenses will cover all formerly involved activities that resulted in the product, including chip and sub-assembly.

The Standard Royalty Rate (SRR) for each 3G Essential Patent licensed in each product category is set initially at 0.1% of the ex-works sales. The SRR will be adjusted periodically in accordance with a defined procedure ensuring that the MCR is respected. Granted licenses will be global.

"3G is no longer a pipe-dream now that the major technological choices have been made within the framework of ITU IMT-2000. All that remains is to put in place a low cost but fair IPR regime. The 3G Patent Platform is a real response to this need," said Brian N. Kearsey President, UIPA.

The 3G Patent Platform, which is intended to become operational on or about March 1, 2000, will operate within a to be established service company lead by a Director General. The preparatory work necessary for operational implementation of the 3G Patent Platform will take place within a legally constituted Partnership under English law. The Partnership will come into being during September 1999 under the leadership of the Director General (Designate). The Partnership will be open, as from September 1, 1999, to all interested companies sharing the desire to launch the 3G Patent Platform.

During the period September 1999 - February 2000 the Partnership will, among other tasks, select and establish a third party Licensing Administration and Patent Evaluation organization through a competitive tender process. It will interface with the anti trust authorities in US, Europe and Japan, establish co-operative arrangements with the international and regional standards bodies e.g. ITU, ETSI, ARIB, TIA, T1 Committee, TTC, 3GPP and 3GPP2 and liaise with the various operator organizations e.g. GSM Association, ETNO, OHG.

"The Pundits claimed it was "mission impossible"; all we have done is to prove them wrong. The introduction of the 3G Patent Platform, operating within a service company serving the global industry, will no doubt contribute towards the commercial success of 3G Systems," said John MacNaughton Chairman of General Assembly, UIPA.

The following companies and organizations have participated in some or all of the activities of the UMTS IPR Working Group since its inception in February 1998:

AirTouch, Alcatel, Analog Devices, Bosch, British Telecom, China Academy of Telecommunications Technology, Cegetel, Conexant Systems, CSEM/Pro Telecom, Ericsson, France Telecom, Fujitsu, Golden Bridge Technology, InterDigital, LG Telecom, Lucent Technologies, Mannesmann, Matsushita, Mitsubishi Electric, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Nortel, NTT DoCoMo, OKI electric, Philips, Qualcomm, Sagem, Siemens, SIPRO Lab Telecom, Sirius Communications, Sonera, Sony, T-Mobil, Telital, Telecom Italia Mobile, Texas Instruments, VIAG Interkom and Wavecom. Representatives from ETNO, ETSI and the GSM Association also participated.

http://www.3gpatents.com/news/99109d.htm





Although Ericcson, Nokia, Motorola and Qualcomm, participated in the discussions, they apparently have opted out from from the arrangement. The following is from the  November 2002, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the European Commission (EC) approval of the agreements among a group of telecommunications manufacturers that will permit those companies to share patented technical information for third-generation (3-G) mobile phones.


"Finally, the Commission has also taken into account that a number of major 3G essential patent holders (among those Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola, and Qualcomm) are not party to the notified arrangements. Given the significant number of essential patents that will remain outside of the arrangement, the Commission has concluded that it appears unlikely that the notified agreements will be capable of restricting the competitive offer of 3G mobile technologies and 3G services to consumers."

http://www.useu.be/Categories/Telecommunications/Nov1202TelecomPatentsCleared.html


For overall info on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)

http://www.3gpp.org/