Standard Essential Patents
Navigating the Complex Landscape of SEPs
As Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) play an increasingly important role in promoting innovation, encouraging interoperability, and safeguarding fair competition, Mintz provides a depth of knowledge to guide clients through this complex landscape. Building off our extensive understanding of client technologies, particularly in telecommunications, video, audio, memory, and other computer technology, we shepherd clients through the full spectrum of SEP issues. Along with prosecuting standard-related patents, we analyze and value SEP portfolios, license SEPs while complying with obligations to license on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms, and litigate and enforce SEPs. Mintz has deep experience with assisting individual owners of SEPs and with patent pool administrators.
ShareOur Approach
Our seasoned IP litigators and patent attorneys partner with clients on a broad range of SEP matters. Leveraging our full understanding of our clients' businesses and extensive experience in the high technology and telecommunication spaces, we help maximize and protect SEPs.
- Work with multiple patent pools to provide strategic guidance on standard essentiality
- Set FRAND rates in conjunction with top economics experts in order to ensure pre-litigation compliance with FRAND terms
- Litigate enforcement of SEPs in the US and quarterback international licensing and enforcement programs
- Provide recommendations related to membership agreements for standards bodies, FRAND obligations, and compliance requirements
- Negotiate purchase, sale, and license transactions involving SEPs and related FRAND issues
- Prosecute patents and provide IP strategy for SEPs
- Communications: 802.11, 3G / 4G / 5G (ETSI / 3GPP)
- Entertainment: AAC, MPEG-H, AVC (H.264) / HEVC (H.265) / VVC (H.266)
- Cameras: ONVIF
- Graphics / Cuda: Khronos, OpenGL, OpenCL
- Memory: USB, JDEC
- Communications systems
- Computer science
- Engineering
- EV battery technology
- Image processing
- Industrial assembly
- Mechanical engineering
- Semiconductors
- Telecommunications
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