Questions Asked of the Court: A Fireside Chat on Standard-Essential Patents
Online Event
5 May 2021, 16h00 – 17h00 CET/10h00 – 111h00 EST
Technical standards for interoperability enable billions of devices connected to the internet, opening new avenues of growth for innovative firms, including thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are looking to utilise these technologies for the first time. The licensing of the patented technologies that underpin connectivity standards like Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, and 5G is critical to using the standards themselves. Although contributing firms promise to license the patents they contribute to standards on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms, SEP licensing abuses are distorting competition in industries such as telecommunications, automotive, and others, and the licensing of these patents continues to be the subject of much debate.
Recently, the Düsseldorf Regional Court referred a series of questions related to the licensing of standard-essential patents (SEPs) to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The case cuts to the heart of standard-essential patent licensing and competition, as the decision will shape the future licensing of SEPs for the internet of things.
During an App Association fireside chat, we will discuss the CJEU referral with Dr. Andreas Kramer, partner in patent litigation at Vossius & Partner, and Giuditta Caldini, associate in the antitrust and competition practice at Latham & Watkins.
The webinar will be of interest to industry participants, policymakers, lawyers, academics, and members of the judiciary.
Agenda
Opening Remarks
ACT | The App Association
Fireside Chat
Moderator
Morgane Taylor, ACT | The App Association
Discussants
Dr Andreas Kramer, Partner, Vossius & Partner
Giuditta Caldini, Associate, Latham & Watkins
Q&A Session
Closing Remarks