In a recent article for Managing IP, InterDigital’s Chief Communications and Public Policy Officer, Rob Stien, offered his thoughts on the European Union’s controversial regulation on standard essential patents.
The regulation was recently approved by the European Parliament but, as Rob makes clear in his article, European policymakers still have time to act to improve or ultimately reject the legislation.
While the policy directly affects standard essential patents, the underlying issue is protecting European innovation – an issue that is particularly critical at a time of heightened competition between Europe and the leading economies in North America and Asia.
If the regulation is passed in its current form then it would heap extra burdens on SEP-owning innovators and hand deep-pocketed implementers, such as the largest smartphone manufacturers, an obvious advantage. As Rob makes clear, that would be a grave mistake.
“In a fiercely competitive global innovation market, Europe’s long-term economic success depends in large part on its ability to out-innovate rivals in Asia and North America,” he writes. “This depends on several factors, but it does not include weakening IP rights on the continent, particularly when those rights are linked to standard essential technologies.”
You can see Rob’s article here.
