dws
15 hours ago
New Report Pins 6G Success on Novel Benchmarks Extending Beyond Speed, Latency, and Mobility
Company Release - 4/25/2024
Report from InterDigital, written by ABI Research, outlines new and enhanced capabilities of 6G, including integrated sensing and communication, native AI, and ubiquitous connectivity
WILMINGTON, Del., April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As 5G-Advanced evolves and transitions to 6G, standards and pre-standards bodies have begun to align on the new features and enhanced capabilities that will define the next generation of wireless. A new report commissioned by InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), a mobile, video and AI technology research and development company, and written by market research firm ABI Research, introduces the enhancements to 5G capabilities and the novel features of integrated sensing and communication, native AI, and ubiquitous connectivity that will shape 6G, as well as the research and standards roadmap to realizing this 6G impact.
The new report, Driving 5G-Advanced to 6G, argues that if 5G-Advanced is to become the foundation for 6G, then the development of 6G technology and standards must align with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU’s) IMT-2030 vision framework. The IMT-2030 framework anticipates that 6G will enhance existing 5G and 5G-Advanced mobile network features to support immersive, massive, hyper reliable, and low latency communication and also introduce novel capabilities that reach beyond faster speeds, lower latencies, and higher mobility to support new industrial and enterprise applications.
“The path to each new wireless generation is iterative and evolutionary, and this report reveals the early discussions, critical capabilities, and important milestones guiding the drive from 5G-Advanced to 6G,” said InterDigital EVP and CTO Rajesh Pankaj. “6G will do more than just extend the reach of 5G capabilities, it will also introduce innovative features that empower exciting new applications and experiences in our future.”
Among 6G’s novel capabilities, integrated sensing and communication, native AI, and ubiquitous connectivity represent never before experienced features of our networks that could hold significant potential for consumers and enterprise. Each of these features will be further explored in 3GPP study and working groups.
Integrated Sensing and Communications or ISAC combines current mobile network operations with radar-like sensing capabilities and can be applied for use cases like object detection and tracking, navigation, positioning, and ensuring device trustworthiness.
Native AI, or ubiquitous intelligence, represents a holistic, foundational, and harmonized AI framework that spans all network layers and domains to foster more comprehensive optimizations and new services, like distributed computing and adaptive trust.
Ubiquitous Connectivity reflects seamless, uninterrupted connectivity throughout urban and rural environments, enabled by 6G architecture of combining access technologies like satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi to create a consistent fabric of connectivity.
“6G presents a unique opportunity to introduce new innovative features in the cellular network, with sensing, native AI and ubiquitous connectivity opening new frontiers for redefining the role of the mobile operator in the broader technology space,” said Dimitris Mavrakis, Senior Research Director at ABI Research. “The ITU has set ambitious goals with its IMT-2030 vision, and the telecoms market is now aligning to ensure that 6G builds on the success of 5G and creates these new opportunities.”
“At InterDigital, we work with world renowned universities to advance 6G-related research. Our engineers hold leadership positions in both pre-standards and standards bodies and play an important role in guiding the development of critical technologies to ensure the potential for 6G builds upon a robust and well-realized 5G-Advanced foundation,” added VP and Head of Wireless Labs Milind Kulkarni.
Outlining important milestones on the 6G roadmap, the report highlights that 6G concepts like ISAC, native AI, and ubiquitous connectivity will be available to consumers and enterprise by 2030. Until then, preliminary 6G studies have begun with 3GPP Release 19 and will continue in 3GPP Rel 20 between 2025-2027. Release 21, between 2027 – 2029, will likely represent the first phase of 6G standardization, to be followed by early deployment of 6G capabilities as early as 2029.
You can read the report, “Driving 5G-Advanced to 6G” here.
About InterDigital®
InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq.
InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.
For more information, visit:?www.interdigital.com.
InterDigital?Contact:
Roya Stephens
Email:?Roya.Stephens@interdigital.com
+1 (202) 349-1714
Paullee
2 days ago
On Monday, Roth/MKM maintained a positive stance on InterDigital Inc. (NASDAQ:IDCC), reiterating a Buy rating and a $132.00 price target. The firm's stance comes amid a recent 10% dip in the company's stock value, which was influenced by a downgrade of a competitor and contrasted with a 7% decline in the Nasdaq.
The analyst highlighted the opportunity presented by the recent share price decline, suggesting it as a favorable entry point for investors. This perspective is based on the progress of InterDigital's licensing efforts, which include the Samsung (KS:005930) arbitration, negotiations with China-based original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and consumer electronics advancements.
Despite market concerns, Roth/MKM expressed confidence in the company's financial prospects. The analyst forecasts that the high quality of InterDigital's recurring earnings could approach approximately $10 per share by 2027. This projection underpins the firm's continued endorsement of the Buy rating and the $132 price target for InterDigital's shares.
The recommendation from Roth/MKM comes as InterDigital approaches its earnings announcement, with the firm's analysis suggesting that the current valuation reflects a promising three-year earnings potential. The analyst's comments indicate a belief that the market's apprehensions are largely unfounded, particularly given the strength of the company's recurring revenue streams.
InvestingPro Insights
InterDigital's financial standing and market performance offer a compelling picture for potential investors. With a market capitalization of $2.48 billion and a robust gross profit margin of approximately 87% in the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, the company demonstrates significant profitability. Additionally, the P/E ratio stands attractively at 11.67, suggesting that the stock may be undervalued relative to its earnings. Notably, the company's management has been actively buying back shares, further signaling confidence in the firm's value and future prospects.
3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or remove ads .
InvestingPro Tips highlight that InterDigital not only holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet but also boasts a high shareholder yield, which is indicative of its commitment to returning value to its investors. Moreover, the company has successfully maintained dividend payments for 14 consecutive years, with a recent dividend yield of 1.66% and a growth of 14.29% in the dividend, as of the last twelve months leading up to Q4 2023. These financial strengths are complemented by a significant price uptick of 26.24% over the last six months, despite a more recent downturn, showcasing the stock's volatility but also its potential for substantial gains.
For readers interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro provides additional insights, including a total of 9 InvestingPro Tips for InterDigital, which can be accessed through the company's specific page on Investing.com. For those looking to take advantage of this resource, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, unlocking further valuable investment metrics and tips.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
dws
6 days ago
InterDigital Announces Date for First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Company Release - 4/19/2024
WILMINGTON, Del. , April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), a mobile, video and AI technology research and development company, today announced that the company will release its first quarter 2024 financial results before the market open on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
InterDigital executives will host a conference call that same day at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) to discuss the company performance.
For a live webcast of the conference call visit www.interdigital.com and click on the “Webcast” link on the Investors page. The company encourages participants to take advantage of the webcast option.
For telephone access to the conference call, visit www.interdigital.com and click on the “Dial-In Registration” link on the Investors page. Registration is necessary to obtain a dial-in phone number and PIN to join.
A replay of the conference call will be available on InterDigital’s website under Events in the Investors section. The replay will be available for one year.
About InterDigital®
InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq.
InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.
For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com.
InterDigital Contact:
investor.relations@interdigital.com
+1 (302) 300-1857
Gamco
1 week ago
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
WESTERN DIVISION
INTERDIGITAL INC., INTERDIGITAL VC
HOLDINGS, INC., INTERDIGITAL PATENT
HOLDINGS, INC., AND INTERDIGITAL
MADISON PATENT HOLDINGS SAS,
Plaintiff,
vs.
LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.,
MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC, AND
LENOVO PC HK LIMITED,
Defendants.
Civil Action No. 5:23-CV-004930FL
JOINT NOTICE
Plaintiffs Interdigital, Inc., Interdigital VC Holdings, Inc., Interdigital Patent Holdings, Inc.,
and Interdigital Madison Patent Holdings SAS (collectively, “Plaintiffs” or “Interdigital”) and
Defendants Lenovo (United States) Inc., Motorola Mobility LLC, and Lenovo PC HK Limited
(collectively, “Defendants” or “Lenovo”), by counsel, respectfully submit this Joint Notice and
hereby state as follows:
1. On February 23, 2024, Defendant Lenovo PC HK Limited moved for Judgment on
the Pleadings that U.S. Patent Nos. 9,173,054, 8,737,933, and 10,250,877 are directed to patentineligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101. ECF No. 69. Lenovo PC HK Limited noted that
the other two defendants—Lenovo (United States) Inc., and Motorola Mobility LLC—would join
the motion once the pleadings closed and InterDigital’s motion to dismiss Count III of Lenovo’s
counterclaims resolved. Id. at 2 n.1. The pleadings closed on March 15, 2024. ECF No. 77. The
Court denied InterDigital’s motion to dismiss on March 25, 2024. ECF No. 81.
Case 5:23-cv-00493-FL Document 91 Filed 04/15/24 Page 1 of 4
2
2. On April 15, 2024, Lenovo (United States) Inc., and Motorola Mobility LLC moved
for Judgment on the Pleadings that U.S. Patent Nos. 9,173,054, 8,737,933, and 10,250,877 are
directed to patent-ineligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101 on the same basis as Lenovo PC
HK Limited’s prior motion. ECF No. 90.
3. To avoid burdening the Court and the parties with identical briefing on this motion,
the parties hereby stipulate they will rely upon their briefs and exhibits thereto associated with
Lenovo PC HK Limited’s motion (ECF No. 69) in lieu of refiling briefs.
Dated: April 15, 2024 /s/ M. Scott Stevens
M. Scott Stevens
NC State Bar No. 37828
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
Vantage South End
1120 South Tryon Street, Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28203
Telephone: 704-444-1025
Fax: 704-444-1935
scott.stevens@alston.com
Philip C. Ducker
CA State Bar No. 262644
Katherine G. Rubschlager
CA State Bar No. 328100
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
560 Mission Street, Suite 2100
San Francisco, CA 94105
Telephone: 415-243-1000
Fax: 415-243-1001
phil.ducker@alston.com
katherine.rubschlager@alston.com
Special Appearance Pursuant to L.R. 83.1
Forthcoming
Ryan W. Koppelman (Pro Hac Vice)
California State Bar No. 290704
ryan.koppelman@alston.com
ALSTON & BIRD
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Case 5:23-cv-00493-FL Document 91 Filed 04/15/24 Page 2 of 4
3
Telephone: (213) 576-1100
Neal A. Larson
GA State Bar No. 599069
TX State Bar No. 24106190
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
Telephone: (404) 881-7000
Facsimile: (404) 881-7777
neal.larson@alston.com
Special Appearance Pursuant to L.R. 83.1
Forthcoming
Jenny J. Wang
CA State Bar No. 328002
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
555 Fayetteville Street, Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27601
Telephone: (919) 862-2200
Facsimile: (919) 862-2260
jenny.wang@alston.com
Special Appearance Pursuant to L.R. 83.1
Forthcoming
Attorneys for Plaintiffs InterDigital, Inc.
InterDigital VC Holdings, Inc., InterDigital Patent
Holdings, Inc., and InterDigital Madison Patent
Holdings SAS
/s/ Raymond M. Bennett
Raymond M. Bennett (NC Bar No. 36341)
WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON (US) LLP
555 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1100
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Telephone: 919-755-2158
Facsimile: 919-755-6068
Ray.Bennett@wbd-us.com
Jacob S. Wharton (NC Bar No. 37421)
WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON (US) LLP
One West 4th St.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27601
Telephone: 919-747-6609
Jacob.Wharton@wbd-us.com
Adam Shartzer
Case 5:23-cv-00493-FL Document 91 Filed 04/15/24 Page 3 of 4
4
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
1000 Maine Ave SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
Telephone: 202-626-6380
shartzer@fr.com
Special Appearance Pursuant to L.R. 83.1
Jack R. Wilson IV
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C
1000 Maine Ave SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
Telephone: 202-626-6415
jwilson@fr.com
Special Appearance Pursuant to L.R. 83.1
Attorneys for Lenovo (United States) Inc.,
Motorola Mobility LLC, and Lenovo PC HK
Limited
Gamco
1 week ago
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
WESTERN DIVISION
NO. 5:23-CV-00493-FL
INTERDIGITAL INC.,
INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS, INC.,
INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS,
INC., and
INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT
HOLDINGS SAS,
Plaintiffs,
v.
LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.,
MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC, and
LENOVO PC HK LIMITED,
Defendants.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON
THE PLEADINGS
Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(c)
DEFENDANTS LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC. AND MOTOROLA MOBILITY
LLC’S MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS PURSUANT TO FED. R.
CIV. P. 12(C)
InterDigital, Inc., InterDigital VC Holdings, Inc., InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc., and
InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings SAS (collectively, “InterDigital” or “Plaintiffs”) accuse
Defendants Lenovo (United States) Inc., Motorola Mobility LLC, and Lenovo PC HK Limited
(“Lenovo HK”) of infringing five patents. Second Amended Complaint, ECF No. 64 ¶ 2. At
least three of these patents are directed to patent-ineligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.
Namely, the claims of U.S. Pat. No. 9,173,054 (“the ’054 patent”), and U.S. Pat. No. 8,737,933
(“the ’933 patent”) embody the abstract idea of wirelessly transferring data (Alice, Step One).
The claims also lack an inventive concept sufficient to make the claims patent eligible (Alice,
Step Two). The claims of the third patent, U.S. Pat. No. 10,250,877 (“the ’877 patent”), embody
the abstract idea of encoding and decoding image data, where the abstract idea is achieved by
using mathematical equations. These claims also lack an inventive concept. Consequently,
Case 5:23-cv-00493-FL Document 90 Filed 04/15/24 Page 1 of 3
ii
pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(c), Lenovo (United States) Inc. and Motorola Mobility LLC move
the Court for a judgment on the pleadings that the ’054, ’933, and ’877 patents are patent
ineligible under 35 U.S.C. § 101, and, therefore, that they are invalid.
The parties are concurrently filing a Joint Notice stipulating they will rely upon their
briefs and exhibits thereto associated with Lenovo PC HK Limited’s motion (ECF No. 69) in lieu
of refiling briefs. The grounds for this motion are set forth more fully in the briefs and exhibits
thereto associated with Lenovo PC HK Limited’s motion.
This 15th day of April 2024.
/s/ Raymond M. Bennett _
Raymond M. Bennett (NC Bar No. 36341)
WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON (US) LLP
555 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1100
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Telephone: 919-755-2158
Facsimile: 919-755-6068
Ray.Bennett@wbd-us.com
Jacob S. Wharton (NC Bar No. 37421)
WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON (US) LLP
One West 4th St.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27601
Telephone: 919-747-6609
Jacob.Wharton@wbd-us.com
Adam Shartzer
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
1000 Maine Ave SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
Telephone: 202-626-6380
shartzer@fr.com
Special Appearance Pursuant to L.R. 83.1
Jack R. Wilson IV
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
1000 Maine Ave SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
Telephone: 202-626-6415
jwilson@fr.com
Case 5:23-cv-00493-FL Document 90 Filed 04/15/24 Page 2 of 3
iii
Special Appearance Pursuant to L.R. 83.1
Attorneys for Lenovo (United States) Inc.,
Motorola Mobility LLC, and
Lenovo PC HK Limited
dws
2 weeks ago
InterDigital and Concordia University Announce Research Collaboration on AI-enabled Immersive Media Delivery over 5G Networks
Company Release - 4/15/2024
WILMINGTON, Del., April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), a mobile, video and AI technology research and development company, and Concordia University’s Intelligent Next Generation Networking and Multimedia (IN2GM) Lab have announced a multi-year research and development collaboration offering PhD and master’s students an opportunity to explore tools that support AI-enabled end-to-end delivery of immersive media over 5G networks. Specifically, the collaboration supports research and innovation (R&I) into novel media delivery paradigms, approaches, prototype tools, and evaluation results. The research will also explore the development of systems that support the efficient delivery of high-quality, six degrees of freedom (6DoF), volumetric immersive media content over 5G networks.
InterDigital’s R&I Lab in Montréal is the home of the Multimedia System team and leads cutting edge research and engagement in global standards like MPEG, 3GPP and IETF. The Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science at Montréal-based Concordia University takes an innovative approach to experiential learning, research, and education, and its Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) department is ranked among the top ten in Canada, and best in software engineering research in Canada according to CSRankings.
Together, InterDigital and Concordia University’s research collaboration aims to design an end-to-end immersive media transport system, addressing media packaging, media ingesting, media delivery, and media consumption, that abides by media coding standards set by IETF, MPEG, and 3GPP. The end-to-end immersive media delivery network is intended to be used for a variety of immersive applications in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), XR (extended reality), and the metaverse.
“We are excited to announce this partnership with Concordia University to explore and create systems and tools to support the exciting intersection between AI and immersive media delivery protocols,” said Gaëlle Martin-Cocher, Senior Director at InterDigital. “Montréal remains a hub for next generation networks and AI/ML research with fast growing AI and immersive industries, so our collaboration with Concordia will leverage the excitement and expertise of the region to develop tools and solutions that support immersive content delivery worldwide.”
“IN2GM Lab at Concordia University is proud and excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with InterDigital to pioneer the development of an end-to-end AI-enabled architecture for immersive media delivery over 5G networks,” said Professor Abdelhak Bentaleb, the head of Concordia’s AI IN2GM Lab. “Together, we're shaping the future of digital experiences, ushering in a new era of connectivity, creativity, and innovation.”
The program invites Concordia PhD and master’s students with expertise in networking and media delivery protocols, immersive media, next gen network systems and application, or AI/ML for networking and media delivery optimization to apply and contribute to the collaboration. All selected students will dedicate weekly research hours and interact with InterDigital’s Montréal R&I team.
About Concordia University
Located in the vibrant and multicultural city of Montréal, Concordia University is among the most innovative universities in its approach to experiential learning, research, and education. Concordia is one of the three universities in Quebec where English is the primary language of instruction. It is the first university under 50 years in Canada and the Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) Department is ranked one of the top 10 CS departments in Canada. The CSSE Department is located in the “Quartier Concordia” neighborhood of Downtown Montréal where there are many options for direct transportation: metro, bus, or bike. It provides a suitable learning and research environment where students can flourish their skills.
About InterDigital
InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq.
InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.
For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com.
InterDigital Contact:
Roya Stephens
Email: roya.stephens@interdigital.com
+1 (202) 349-1714
Gamco
2 weeks ago
Avanci Launches 4G Smart Meter patent licensing program
October 30, 2023 by Avanci
EDMI, a global leader in smart metering solutions, joins as first licensee
Avanci, the independent global leader in joint licensing solutions, today launched a program for 4G smart meters, with global smart metering leader EDMI as its first licensee.
Since 2016, Avanci has been transforming how patent licensing is done, through efficient, independent platforms which offer a convenient option to reduce transaction costs, enhance licensing efficiency, and improve predictability for all parties. This new Avanci program builds on the success of Avanci 4G Vehicle, which now has more than 145 million connected vehicles from over 95 automotive brands covered by an Avanci 4G Vehicle license.
Roy Kirsopp, CEO at EDMI, says: “As a leader in the global smart metering market, EDMI is unwavering in its commitment to customers to provide reliable and seamless smart metering solutions. We joined the Avanci 4G Smart Meter patent licensing program to assure our valued customers and partners that EDMI takes its licensing obligations seriously. An Avanci license is extremely valuable as it gives us authorised, licensed access to a broad range of 4G technology patent owners in a simple and efficient manner.”
Avanci 4G Smart Meter is Avanci’s first Internet of Things (IoT) program beyond the automotive sector. It simplifies the process of licensing essential cellular technologies for the growing global 4G smart meter market. Analyst firm Transforma Insights forecasts that more than 15 million 4G smart meters in scope of the program will be sold in 2023, with over 160 million to be sold during the next 10 years.
Marianne Frydenlund, Vice President and head of IoT licensing at Avanci, said: “We are delighted to launch our latest IoT program and to welcome EDMI, a leader in smart metering solutions, as our first 4G Smart Meter licensee. Our thanks to EDMI and all our partners for giving us their trust and confidence to deliver another efficient IoT licensing solution.”
An Avanci 4G Smart Meter license covers meters enabling 4G* connected meters. It offers a single license covering the 4G, 3G, and 2G essential patents of the 39 licensors in the program today, together with those of any licensors that join in future, at a fixed rate of $3 per meter, paid once for the lifetime of the meter.
Smart meter manufacturers and owners of cellular essential patents can email IOT@avanci.com to learn more about the program.
* Smart meters that communicate solely using the NB-IoT and/or LTE-M subsets of the 4G standard are not covered by the program.
About EDMI
EDMI Limited is one of the leading smart metering solutions providers in the world. EDMI is focused on designing, developing and manufacturing innovative and technologically advanced energy meters and metering systems for the global utility industry. EDMI’s metering portfolio includes a comprehensive range of premium quality metering products, advanced infrastructure and energy management systems. EDMI is owned by Osaki Electric Co., Ltd., a Japanese metering solutions provider listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Gamco
3 weeks ago
Lenovo confidentiality breaches represent "serious failings", says UK court in InterDigital dispute
Adam Houldsworth
04 April 2024
An English High Court decision has revealed that Lenovo committed several breaches of a confidentiality protocol relating to InterDigital’s third-party SEP licence agreements in the latest development of the much-watched SEP/FRAND dispute.
Nevertheless, the London court has granted Lenovo retrospective permission to use the confidential information in a second set of FRAND proceedings between the two parties, including in a fast-approaching hearing concerning a jurisdictional challenge by InterDigital.
This comes against the background of a multi-faceted, global set of disputes between the parties, which have great legal and strategic significance for the broader SEP licensing landscape.
Lenovo’s breaches relate to information protected under a confidentiality protocol established during an initial round of UK litigation pertaining to the use of InterDigital’s 5G-era cellular SEP portfolio until the end of 2023.
That litigation produced a landmark global FRAND ruling by the High Court of England and Wales in March 2023 – the UK’s second ever such decision. The ruling set a rate favourable to Lenovo, rejected key aspects of InterDigital’s rate-setting methodology and found the US patentee to have been an unwilling licensor.
InterDigital is challenging that ruling in an appeal whose outcome will have profound implications for SEP strategies around the world. It is scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal on 10 June this year.
Lenovo’s breaches of the confidentiality protocol were committed as part of a second round of UK global licence rate-setting litigation, which the Chinese company initiated on 23 September 2023.
The Chinese implementer filed a UK High Court action seeking either a declaration of invalidity and non-essentiality against two of InterDigital’s 4G SEPs, or a global FRAND rate determination for InterDigital’s cellular SEP portfolio for the period 2024-2028. It also requested that a global rate be set for InterDigital’s broader portfolio of SEPs and non-standard-essential patents.
This defensive or ‘free-standing’ global FRAND rate-setting request was filed alongside a similar action filed by Lenovo in a parallel worldwide SEP dispute with Ericsson. Indeed, as a recent IAM interview with Lenovo’s Chief IP Officer John Mulgrew showed, the company has been persuaded of the merits of UK litigation by the favourable March 2023 ruling.
In contrast, InterDigital, having seemingly lost its appetite for UK global FRAND decisions, has filed a jurisdictional challenge, based partly on the grounds that Lenovo is seeking a declaration relating to some non-ETSI SEPs and non-standard-essential patents that are not subject to FRAND commitments. The hearing for this jurisdictional challenge is set to take place in a few weeks, on 24 April.
Lenovo believes that its case in that jurisdictional challenge will be strengthened by use of third-party patent licence information that was used under the protection of a confidentiality protocol in the first dispute. In late March, it applied for permission to make use of that information.
This brought a serious issue to the court’s attention, however. By the Chinese company’s admission, it had already inadvertently misused that information, in breach of confidentiality provisions, on several occasions since the initiation of the September legal action. Lenovo therefore asked for retrospective permission to use the confidential information in the ongoing case.
Handing down his decision on the matter, Mr Justice Zacaroli stated that there “have been serious failing on the part of Lenovo”. These included Lenovo’s inclusion of confidential information in its original September 2023 pleading, its use of the third-party licences as part of its strategic review for the second dispute and its use of unredacted licences and an unredacted version of the first global FRAND ruling in its disclosure for the second proceeding.
Zacaroli J also found that the confidentiality protocol had been breached by the sharing of information with Lenovo’s German lawyers, who were outside the confidentiality ring. Moreover, affected third parties had not been informed of the breach in a timely manner, and although Lenovo’s lawyers had not intentionally misused the information, the company “ought to have come to court at a much earlier stage” after the breaches were brought to its attention in November 2023.
InterDigital requested that Lenovo’s retroactive request be rejected. Otherwise, its interests would be prejudiced, it argued, adding that Lenovo and its lawyers could not be trusted.
However, Zacaroli J ruled that need to encourage compliance had to be balanced against his findings that there had been no substantial prejudice to the interests of InterDigital or the third parties involved, and Lenovo had not gained any significant benefit from the breaches. Moreover, he reasoned, Lenovo would have a good chance of introducing the information at a later stage in proceedings, regardless. It was in the interests of justice to allow the confidential information to be weighed in the jurisdictional ruling.
As such, Lenovo was granted retrospective permission to use the information in its original and amended particulars of claim, and in pleading those matters, as well as in the forthcoming jurisdiction challenge.
For its breaches, however, Lenovo has been ordered to pay £80,000 to cover both parties’ costs relating to its request.
The jurisdiction hearing will determine which claims, if any, Lenovo is allowed to proceed with. The resolution of those questions will also trigger a hearing on Lenovo’s request for an expedited FRAND trial.
Some other important questions relating to the case have already been resolved. On 21 March, the High Court rejected InterDigital’s request to stay proceedings pending developments at the Munich Regional Court. It also rejected Lenovo’s request for an interim global licence – based on the March 2023 decision – pending the full UK global FRAND ruling. Such a provisional licence would have only slight value in English proceedings, the court found, because Lenovo is not under the threat of an injunction and InterDigital has not sought interim payments.
The global context
However, all of Lenovo’s UK actions against InterDigital must be understood as part of a wider context in which the US patentee has asserted cellular SEPs and other patents in several other jurisdictions.
In Germany, for example, InterDigital asserted several 4G and 5G patents at the Munich Regional Court in September of last year, immediately before Lenovo’s UK filing. A hearing regarding one of the asserted patents is set to take place on 18 April.
Also in September 2023, InterDigital filed US legal actions at the International Trade Commission and the District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, concerning five US patents (which are not subject to FRAND obligations) relating to the AV1 and VP9 video codec specifications. The ITC has instituted InterDigital’s complaint, setting a hearing for June-July 2024.
InterDigital had also asserted SEPs relating to the HEVC video codec standard in various jurisdictions, though this part of the dispute was resolved by a licensing deal in late 2023.
According to InterDigital’s recent annual report, the company’s 2023 patent revenue (totalling $549.6 million) included $150.1 million (mostly back-payments) from Lenovo, comprised of payments relating to the March 2023 cellular SEP decision and the later HEVC agreement.
dws
3 weeks ago
InterDigital Announces Convertibility of 3.50% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2027
Company Release - 4/4/2024
WILMINGTON, Del., April 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), a mobile and video technology research and development company, announced today that, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture governing its 3.50% Senior Convertible Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”), the Notes are convertible during its calendar quarter ending June 30, 2024. The current conversion rate of the Notes is 12.9041 shares of InterDigital’s Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes.
Upon the conversion of any Notes, InterDigital will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be converted, and will pay cash, shares of its Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of its Common Stock for any conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount being converted, if any, at InterDigital’s election, as set forth in the Indenture governing the Notes.
At the time InterDigital issued the Notes, InterDigital entered into call spread transactions that together were designed to have the economic effect of reducing the net number of shares that will be issued in the event of conversion of the Notes by, in effect, increasing the conversion price of the Notes from InterDigital’s economic standpoint from $77.49 to $106.35. Refer to Footnote 10 of the Financial Statements from InterDigital’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for more information.
Gamco
3 weeks ago
Notable Monday Option Activity: NET, SPHR, IDCC
April 01, 2024 — 03:18 pm EDT
Written by BNK Invest
And Interdigital Inc (Symbol: IDCC) saw options trading volume of 2,781 contracts, representing approximately 278,100 underlying shares or approximately 50.7% of IDCC's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 548,755 shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $95 strike put option expiring April 19, 2024, with 588 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 58,800 underlying shares of IDCC. Below is a chart showing IDCC's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $95 strike highlighted
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/notable-monday-option-activity:-net-sphr-idcc
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jealmc79
3 weeks ago
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