I have been following news around patents lately. I have followed what happens on patent field because I am an inventor that has made some patents and being referenced on some other. The patent situation seem to be quite insane right now, especially on smartphone field.
I can agree the comment Patent law is a very imperfect tool for establishing moral culpability I saw in Linux Magazine. Whether you favor patents or not, it is important to face the fact that patent law is a construct of the business world. Patents protect opportunities for patent holders and restrict opportunities for others. What engineers need to know about patents article tells that most engineers know what a patent is broadly; for example, a bundle of rights related to an invention.
Patents are considered by many parties as vitally important to protecting intellectual property. Plenty of creativity occurs within the technology industry, and without patents, executives say they could never justify spending fortunes on new products. And academics say that some aspects of the patent system, like protections for pharmaceuticals, often function smoothly. It’s clearly demonstrably true that wielding patents to stop people copying protected methods obliges them to come up with new methods of their own. This is why patents are so widely supported by inventors, industry and governments. It’s an irreplaceable component of industrial organisation that produces and propagates invention. In April 2012, in its report on Intellectual Property, the US Patent Office (USPTO) concluded that the entire US economy relies on some form of IP, because virtually every industry either produces or uses it.
Patents have become a technology industry battleground as mobile-phone, tablet and computer makers try to lure consumers with constant improvements to their video and sound. Smartphones have become the focal point for lawsuits and licensing talks because the market is so huge, it is growing so quickly and cutting-edge technology is used in them. There Are 250,000 Active Patents That Impact Smartphones; Representing One In Six Active Patents Today. And this is for for an industry that is certainly less than 1% of US GDP. It definitely appears that there’s something of a “bubble” going on around smartphone patents. The explosive growth of the smartphone market means mobile patents are particularly valuable these days. Major players are increasingly going to court with one another over alleged infringements. It also makes for an astounding minefield for anyone new who wants to enter the space, especially if you don’t have a massive war chest to license or fight in court.
Patents have been a very important tool on industrial era to protect companies. Many people argue that the nation’s patent rules, intended for a mechanical world, are inadequate in today’s digital marketplace. Nowadays patents seem to be especially on on the software side especially old-fashioned and even harming economy. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis recently published a working paper calling for the abolition of patents, saying they do more harm than good. Import bans over patents cause ‘substantial harm,’ FTC says.
Unlike patents for new drug formulas, patents on software often effectively grant ownership of concepts, rather than tangible creations. Today, the patent office routinely approves patents that describe vague algorithms or business methods, without patent examiners demanding specifics about how those calculations occur or how the software operates. The patent office has a reputation for being overworked, understaffed and plagued by employee turnover, and employees concede that some of their work is subjective. As a result, some patents are so broad that they allow patent holders to claim sweeping ownership of seemingly unrelated products built by others. And it happens more and more often. Yes, the system is frequently gamed, it generates avoidable costs, it’s unnecessarily complex, and it creates many absurdities. There Are Too Many Patents In America.
Recent research supports view that patent troll activity is rising — costing America a fortune in wasted legal fees and lost jobs. Patent trolls are a plague. And they are every day armed with more and more patents. ‘Patent trolls’ cost other US bodies $29bn last year, says study. And this figure does not include indirect costs to the defendants’ businesses such as diversion of resources, delays in new products, and loss of market share. Direct costs are large relative to total spending on [research and development], which totalled $247bn in 2009, implying that NPE patent assertations effectively impose a significant tax on investment in innovation. Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos Calls For Governments To End Patent Wars. The problems with the current system are so pervasive, that many companies say, that the courts, lawmakers and Silicon Valley must find their own fixes.
In the smartphone industry alone, according to a Stanford University analysis, as much as $20 billion was spent on patent litigation and patent purchases in the last two years — an amount equal to eight Mars rover missions. Last year spending by Apple and Google on patent lawsuits and unusually big-dollar patent purchases exceeded spending on research and development of new products, according to public filings. Apple’s CEO thinks that patent system is broken in a fundamental way. It allows companies to exploit standards-essential patents — patents that must be licensed in order for products to function according to accepted industry standards. The Patent Wars: Infographic confirms that everyone in the tech world is way too sue-happy.
Apple vs. Samsung patent verdict was a lot of talked about event lately. Apple-Samsung trial has clarified that patents are the “lifeblood of business” and putting powerful short-term legal protections under inventions is overwhelmingly more convincing than any mooted alternative. Apple v. Samsung case highlights money to be made from patent litigation. Linux Magazine editor is amazed at how little all the “authorities” seem to know. Is there a lesson in all this? A huge team of lawyers billing US$ 200 to US$ 800 per hour erected weeks of elegant arguments and a jury thought about the whole thing for 21 hours and 37 minutes. The 109 pages of jury instructions contained 700 questions, which means that jury reached consensus on one point approximately every 33 seconds.
The Apple v. Samsung case really ought to shame the industry. It let a jury, also known as “people off the street”, decide on liability and damages amounts and kept a lot of lawyers in alligator skin shoes. And while it is probably the lawyers that benefited the most from the whole ordeal, no one else is. And I’m not convinced that any of these patents are actually valid. Of course, Samsung argued that Apple also copied, which is no doubt true, but just because Apple got away with it doesn’t make it okay. Apple and Samsung would be better off — and their consumers would be better served — if the tech giants took their epic patent battle out of the courtroom and into the marketplace. The best thing about the case is that it has exposed just how awful the patent situation has become in the US.
A new patent case has just started. Microsoft v Google judge could shape the world in new patent punchup because that could finally tell tech companies how much a standards-essential patent is worth is about to kick off in the US. Microsoft filed a lawsuit in 2010 that challenges Google-owned Motorola over the its use of standards-essential patents (SEP) in court cases. Microsoft and Apple have tried to argue that Samsung and Motorola shouldn’t be allowed to use their SEP in court cases. Both European and US authorities have also been investigating whether any firm should be allowed to get the law involved in SEP but haven’t come to any conclusions yet. Motorola has tried to get 2.25 per cent per device out of Apple and Microsoft. The patents this case is are related to for example to H.264 video coding. Redmond is accusing Motorola of violating its responsibilities to standards organisations to license the patents at fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory rates (FRAND).
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Anton Shilov / Tom’s Hardware:
Report: 69,190 semiconductor patents were filed globally in 2022, up 9% YoY; Chinese companies accounted for 55%, US companies 26%, and UK companies 0.26%
China Filed More Chip Patents Than US in 2022: Report
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/china-accounted-for-55-percent-of-semiconductor-patents-filed-in-2022
The U.K. only accounted for 0.26% of the global total.
China is neither the world’s largest developer of chips nor the world’s largest maker of semiconductors. However, its swiftly-developing microelectronics industry seems to be generating patent applications at a rapid pace. Last year, Chinese companies filed over half of all semiconductor-related patents globally, according to a report from Mathys & Squire, an intellectual property law firm.
“Global powers such as the U.S., China and the E.U. are competing to be leaders in semiconductor technology,” said Edd Cavanna, Managing Associate at Mathys & Squire. “That says it all regarding their importance for the future of the economy.”
A record 69,190 microelectronics-related patents were filed during 2022, a sharp 59% increase from 43,380 just five years ago. This development emphasizes how rapidly this industry is developing and how chips influence all aspects of modern life.
With 18,223 applications, Chinese companies accounted for 55% of the filings globally, while firms from the U.S. came second at 26%. By contrast, the UK accounted for 179 patents, or 0.26% of the global total, reports Mathys & Squire.
Meanwhile, TSMC was the largest individual filer, with 4,793 patents or 7% of all semiconductor-related patents globally. Applied Materials filed for 209 patents (more than all UK-based companies combined), SanDisk filed for 50, and IBM filed for 49.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Blake Brittain / Reuters:
The US bans import of Peloton and iFit’s video-streaming fitness devices after an ITC judge found they infringed on Dish Network’s streaming technology patents
Peloton, iFit hit with US import ban over streaming technology
https://www.reuters.com/technology/peloton-ifit-hit-with-us-import-ban-over-streaming-technology-2023-03-08/
March 8 (Reuters) – The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on Wednesday banned imports of video-streaming fitness devices made by Peloton Interactive Inc (PTON.O) and iFit Inc after a judge found they infringed Dish Network Corp (DISH.O) patents.
In a 2021 complaint filed with the ITC, Dish and its Sling TV unit accused Peloton and iFit of infringing four patents for video-streaming technology through imports of products that stream at-home fitness content. These included Peloton bicycles and treadmills and iFit NordicTrack bicycles and ellipticals.
President Joe Biden’s administration has 60 days to review the import ban before it takes effect, though presidents rarely reverse such actions. Parties can also appeal ITC decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which reviews patent disputes, after the 60-day review period ends.
Cheney found that the Peloton, Lululemon and iFit streaming-capable products infringed patents related to Dish’s Hopper set-top boxes. Dish said its patents covered adaptive bitrate streaming technology that lets users stream content from around the world in real time “at the highest possible quality”.
The technology was developed by Move Networks Inc and was acquired by Dish in 2012, according to court papers.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Yhteinen patenttituomioistuin UPC aloittaa työnsä – mikä muuttuu?
30.03.2023
Takaisin
Eurooppalainen patenttijärjestelmä mullistuu 1.6.2023, kun yhtenäispatenttien (Unitary Patent eli UP) rekisteröiminen alkaa ja uusi yhteinen tuomioistuin aloittaa toimintansa. Uudistus muuttaa patentteihin liittyvää riidanratkaisua. Eurooppapatenttiasiamies Stefan Holmström kertoo, mitä patentinhaltijan ja patenttia hakevan kannattaa tietää.
https://www.kolster.fi/blog/upc-aloittaa-ty%C3%B6ns%C3%A4
Tomi Engdahl says:
Patent Spat Leaves DJI Owing Textron $279M
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/01/patent-spat-leaves-dji-owing-textron-279m/
Patents are the murky waters where technical jargon and legalese meet, and in this vast grey area of interpretation, DJI now owes Textron $279M.
At issue in the case were two patents issued to Textron (#8,014,909 and #9,162,752) regarding aircraft control systems for relative positioning to other vehicles and automatic hovering. The jury found that Textron’s intellectual property (IP) had been infringed and that damages amounted to $279M. DJI asserts that Textron’s patents are not valid and will appeal the decision. Appeals in patent trials are handled by the Federal Circuit and can be kicked up to the US Supreme Court, so don’t expect a final decision in the case anytime soon.
https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/klvygbzkxvg/TEXTRON%20LAWSUIT%20PATENTS%20verdict.pdf
Tomi Engdahl says:
Voiko patentin kiertää? – tutustu kolmeen skenaarioon
https://www.kolster.fi/blog/tutustu-kolmeen-skenaarioon
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reuters:
Huawei signs a global patent cross-licensing deal with Xiaomi, covering 5G and other communication tech; Chinese media reported in March that Huawei sued Xiaomi
China’s Huawei says it has reached global patent licensing deal with Xiaomi
https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-huawei-xiaomi-reach-global-patent-deal-5g-state-media-2023-09-13/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Patentointi edistää startupien menestystä ja rahanhankintaa
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/10/17/patentointi-edistaa-startupien-menestysta/
Patenttien ja tavaramerkkien omistaminen parantaa eurooppalaisten startup-yritysten mahdollisuuksia menestyä ja hankkia rahoitusta. Tämä selviää uudesta Euroopan patenttivirasto (EPO) ja unionin teollisoikeuksien viraston (EUIPO) selvityksestä.
Juuri julkaista raportti osoittaa, että ne startupit, joilla näitä aineettomia oikeuksia on jo siemenvaiheessa tai varhaisessa kasvuvaiheessa, onnistuvat hankkimaan rahoitusta keskimäärin yli 10 kertaa Eurooppa-patenttien ja EU:n tavaramerkkien omistamisesta on merkittävää etua, sillä niiden omistajat varmistavat viisi kertaa useammin varhaisvaiheen rahoituksen verrattuna kansallisten immateriaalioikeuksien omistajiin (6,1 kertaa todennäköisempää tavaramerkkien ja 5,3 kertaa patenttien osalta).
Niin kutsutun ”deep tech”-alan eli syväteknologian startupit kohtaavat erityisiä haasteita kehittäessään läpimurtotekniikoita, sillä ne edellyttävät suuria investointeja ja pitkiä toimitusaikoja. Tällaiset startup-yritykset voivat hyötyä erityisesti patenteista ja tuotemerkeistä, jotka houkuttelevat ”kärsivällisiä” sijoittajia.
Toimialojen välillä on kuitenkin merkittäviä eroja. Bioteknologia on ollut selvästi aktiivisin, mutta esimerkiksi luonnontieteen ja tekniikka alan yrityksistä neljännes hyödyntää patentteja ja tavaramerkkejä 38 prosenttia. Seuraavia ovat terveydenhuolto ja valmistavan yritykset.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/12/30/nokialla-suuria-ongelmia-patenttirahojensa-perinnassa/
Tomi says:
Nokia pääsi vihdoin sopimukseen 5G-pateteista – Oppo maksaa
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2024/01/24/nokia-paasi-vihdoin-sopimukseen-5g-pateteista/
Tomi says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15774-nokia-ja-oppo-sopuun-5g-patenteista
Tomi says:
Nokia: lisenssirumba älypuhelinvalmistajien kanssa nyt valmis
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15841-nokia-lisenssirumba-aelypuhelinvalmistajien-kanssa-nyt-valmis
Tomi Engdahl says:
Some Intel chips banned in Germany after company loses patent spat — Alder Lake, Ice Lake, and Tiger Lake chips impacted [Updated]
News
By Anton Shilov published February 07, 2024
Dell and HP devices could be banned, too.
https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/semiconductors/german-court-issues-injunction-against-sales-of-select-intel-cpus
Tomi Engdahl says:
Heikentääkö vai vahvistaako patenttiuudistus mobiilikehitystä?
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2024/02/27/heikentaako-vai-vahvistaako-patenttiuudistus-mobiilikehitysta/
Eurooppalaisten teknologiayhtiöiden mobiiliverkkojen kehittäminen ja innovointi ovat uhattuna Kokoomuksen europarlamentaarikko Miapetsa Kumpula-Natrin (sd.) mukaan uudessa EU:n standardiessentiaalipatentteja (SEP) sääntelyä koskevassa esityksessä.
Euroopan parlamentti muodostaa kantansa asiaan täysistunnossa tällä viikolla. Kumpula-Natrin mukaan sillä voi olla dramaattisia vaikutuksia Euroopan telekommunikaatiosektoriin ja sen kykyyn innovoida.
Varsinkin kun esimerkiksi Nokia ja Ericsson ovat olleet jo pitkään maailman johtavia 5G- ja 6G-verkkojen kehittäjä. Patenteista saatuja tuloja käytetään t&k-toimintaan ja uusien standardien kehittämiseen. Nokialla patentit ovat olleet erittäin hyvä bisnes ja panostukset Suomen tutkimustoimintaan loistavia investointeja, joiden toivotaan edelleen jatkuvan.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15924-nokia-tyrmaeae-eu-asetusluonnoksen-vaarantaa-5g-ja-6g-kehityksen-euroopassa
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15982-gan-piireissae-ensimmaeinen-iso-patenttiriita