badpump, will offer a couple thoughts about InterDigital's expectations for new licensing agreements getting signed after the 2G issues got settled with Ericsson.
First, it has not even been 30 days yet since the Ericsson settlement. Licensing agreements covering 100's of millions of products to be produced over the next decade do not get negotiated in a single meeting.
Second, most of the wireless manufacturing firms have quite a few very different topics to be negotiated and resolved before completing a license agreement with InterDigital at this point in time, i.e., 2G back payments due, 2G rates going forward, 3G back payments due, 3G rates going forward, and then working thru all of the prior contracts and license agreements each firm has in effect, or thinks they still have in effect with InterDigital. That's a lot of stuff to sort out and get agreement on before completing a long term contract. IMO 30, 60, or 90 days is a very agressive schedule for getting everything done where both parties want to do it as rapidly as possible, i,e, they don't have any unresolved issues.
Third(this is the one I like best), InterDigital is in a very strong bargaining position for the first time in it's long history. Gotta say that again. InterDigital does not have to "tin cup" for license agreements ever again, even from the big tough dealing wireless manufacturers like Motorola, Seimens, and Nokia. No more last ditch cut rate deals are going to be forced onto the nice folks in King of Prussia. Nope, now InterDigital can state what it wants for using the IPR they invented and own, AND they can dictate the terms. Rates AND payment terms, did everybody notice the kicker IDCC added in the Ericsson settlement agreement? 24 months in advance please. Or pay an additional 20% for the "pay as you go" plan. I just love it.
Forth(actually an extention of the last point), there is a good chance that InterDigital is requiring FULL COVERAGE on any new license agreements(or updates) at this point in time. No more piece part licensing of a specific standard like was done in the past. InterDigital's position now may be more like "We want coverage and sales reporting on EVERYTHING you manufacture, we'll tell you if it has our IPR in it. If you think you got an "indemnity" on some of your narrowband products(i.e., CDMA2000), then go collect on it. WE are going to get paid for the IPR we know we have in each standard, and paid at the rates we believe are fair and equitable. Let us know when you get that squared away and are ready to go as we said. We are not going anywhere." LOL! Wouldn't that be a daisy?
Tic, Toc. See why I'm not worried about a few weeks, or even months, right now?
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