Viewpoints
The Newsletter of the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Vol. XXVI No. 2
June 2018
Highs And Lows At LESI Conference
In Memory: Peter Hess LESI President 2017-2018
LESI 2018 Welcome Reception, more photos on Page 5
Meeting attendees at the LES International Conference hosted by LES (U.S.A. and Canada) enjoyed indoor/outdoor networking overlooking the San Diego Bay. There were more than 570 registrants for the April 29- May 1 meeting. Tragically Peter Hess, LES International President, passed away as the meeting started on April 30. He was unable to attend due to his grave illness. More on Page 3.
FRAND Licensing Standards Committee
Matteo Sabattini Explains It All
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ES (U.S.A. and Canada) has established the new FRAND Licensing Standards Committee, focused on requirements for business processes and negotiation practices Matteo Sabattini that are measurable and uniformly applicable across the industry. We spoke with FRAND Licensing Standards Committee Chair, Matteo Sabattini, about this new committee and it’s role within the Society:
What is the importance of standards, in general?
What is the importance of this committee?
“FRAND licensing is a fundamental and integral component of innovation that has guaranteed the success of the standardization process, and has allowed many industrial ecosystems to thrive. Highly complex technical standards require significant, risky upfront investments. The success of technical standards involve extensive participation by technology developers and innovators,
“The FRAND Licensing Standards Committee will create an industry-wide, consensus-based business process standard for businesses and professionals who engage as principals or agents in the practice of licensing standard essential patents (SEPs) on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.”
“Open, consensus-based standards represent a vital part of the industrial ecosystem. Standards have been shown to lower barriers to entry, reduce costs, achieve broad interoperability, enhance collaboration and, ultimately, benefit society. Business process standards have been instrumental in creating a set of guidelines that are in some cases widely used and accepted. They have also helped businesses of all sizes achieve compliance through best practices.” Why is this important to you, either personally, professionally, or both?
See obituary on Page 3 and broad market adoption on a global scale. FRAND licensing guarantees a fair ROI to standard developers, while providing implementers and users of the standard access to the necessary technology.” What would you say to someone wanting to know more? “Get involved now. Participation and discussion with peers from the industry is the best way to make sure the standard we are developing benefits from broad expertise across different verticals and from different business models. FRAND licensing is not industry specific, especially in an era of technology convergence. LES Standards are tools for licensing professionals created by industry professionals. Participation provides a dual benefit, to participating enterprises and to the licensing community. While enhancing the quality and reach of the developed standards, participating members will be exposed to a range of different practices across, and know-how from, different verticals.”
LES VIEWPOINTS HIGHLIGHTS
LES Montreal Exciting Local Chapter Events Pages 6-7
Life Sciences Deals Letter to Congress What are the keys to success? LES Supports Stronger Patent Act Page 8
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New Education Director Meet Mark Keagle Page 11