From the news article...
Convida Wireless represents a new collaboration between Sony, a longtime technology leader, and InterDigital Solutions, a unit announced in October by InterDigital that explores new engagement models with industry players. Based on the terms of the agreement, the parties will contribute funding and resources for additional M2M research and platform development, which will be carried out by InterDigital Solutions. Stephens Capital Partners LLC, the principal investing affiliate of Stephens Inc., a full service investment banking firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, will be a minority investor in Convida Wireless. The agreement also includes a patent license from InterDigital for Sony's 3G and 4G products.
Didn't IDCC enter into a similar venture/partnership with Nokia about a decade ago? IIRC, the venture with Nokia didn't end so well.........matter-of-fact, IDCC is still in court with Nokia stemming from this "venture". JMO