The primary goal of the Open Patent Alliance (OPA) is to foster a global ecosystem focused on delivering broader choice, competitive equipment and service costs for WiMAX technology, devices and applications. Members of the WiMAX ecosystem formed the OPA in 2008. Current OPA members include Acer, Alvarion, Cisco, Clearwire, Huawei Technologies, Intel Corporation, and Samsung Electronics, as well as newly announced associate members Beceem, GCT Semiconductor, Sequans, and UQ Communications. The diversity of member companies demonstrates broad support throughout the entire 4G ecosystem – from semiconductor makers, to consumer device manufacturers, to network equipment companies, to service providers.

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What's New from the OPA

ComputerworldThe Open Patent Alliance is highlighted as one of the primary patent pools for wireless technologies in this Computerworld article about the increase in patent lawsuits. Wireless luminaries including Apple, Samsung and Google have seen a drastic increase in intellectual property-related disputes in the past 18 months. This piece notes that the OPA has created a patent pool for WiMAX – one of the first and only such intellectual property tools in the wireless industry.

 

OMNI Consulting Group logoThe Omni Consulting Group created research that examines how technology firms and patent holders may benefit from patent pools, and how the performance of pooled IPR strategies can shape future industry outcomes. This research takes an in-depth look at the current environment for patent pools to find which ingredients or variables matter most to the success, or in some instances, failure, of licensing structures. Using advanced quantitative methods such as econometric analysis and decision simulation modeling, this paper gains a holistic perspective on the specific qualities and traits that drive performance in technology-focused patent pools.

 

Rethink Wireless Watch logoWireless Watch takes an in-depth look at recent LTE IPR situations and how patent pools play a role.  Companies such as Apple, Nokia and Google are all expected to bid for Nortel’s patents that could result in a licensing structure for LTE. Yung Hahn, President of the OPA says the window for a licensing framework for LTE is small but possible, if done in the first half of 2011.

 

Wireless Week logoOpen Patent Alliance Vice President Eric Siow shares his predictions on the future of intellectual property rights for the wireless industry. Siow (and the OPA) believe patent pools can encourage innovation in 4G not just for the wireless industry, but also for other ecosystems interested in deploying wireless technologies. This Wireless Week article highlights the 2011 predictions of several high profile wireless executives.

 

4G World Oct 20 in ChicagoYung Hahn, OPA president, was a panelist on "Will TD-LTE Signal the End of Mobile WiMAX?" at an executive breakfast hosted by Fierce Wireless on October 20, at 4G World in Chicago. Mr. Hahn also presented Preparing for the Transformation – Network Readiness for 4G Migrations. Presentation recordings and materials will be made available soon at the OPA website.

 

 

Global Mobile CongressEric Siow, OPA vice president, presented Hidden Barriers to Incorporating 4G into Consumer Electronics at Global Mobile Congress, the premier 4G and wireless show in China, on Monday, October 18, in Shangai. Presentation recordings and materials will be made available soon at the OPA website.

 

 

RCR Wireless logoWhat is the Open Patent Alliance doing to support the rise of mobile broadband? Find out in this nine-minute RCR Wireless video interview with Eric Siow, IPR Program Director.

 

Yung Hahn speaks at the Wireless Infrastructure ShowWhat effect are intellectual property rights having on 4G wireless technology in the United States? Learn more in this 30-minute presentation from OPA president Yung Hahn.

 

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For those interested in new strategies for addressing the IPR licensing issues for 4G technology, the OPA has made Promoting a Pro-Competitive 4G Licensing Model Through the Use of an Industry Based Organization available for download. This paper outlines the issues involved in creating a pro-competitive environment for 4G and details the formation of an Industry-Based Organization and how it can accelerate the development of a patent pool, advocate for pro-competitive IPR licensing and develop tools and resources for the entire 4G industry.

 

 

 

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For those interested in a more thorough understanding of patent pools and their benefits, the OPA has made the following document, Applying Patent Pools to the 4G IPR Landscape available for download. This paper provides a high-level overview of patent pools and their history, discusses the potential benefits associated with the patent pool approach and examines the 4G market to determine whether or not the patent pool approach makes sense in this context.
Those interested in receiving future announcements and white papers from the OPA can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with their name, company and email. You will be added to the distribution list at that time.