Apple Wants Europe to Set Essential Patent Licensing Terms

[cdmagurus.com]

Apple has requested that the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) set guidelines that determine how companies license patents that are considered "essential" for certain products, including smartphones. The request, which was submitted in November, notes that patents are not licensed in a consistent manner. "It is apparent that our industry suffers from a lack of consistent adherence to FRAND principles in the cellular standards arena," said Apple in a letter to ETSI. Apple wants the European body to devise a way for technology companies to set appropriate rates for essential patents used industry wide. Apple also believes that FRAND-based patents should not be used to enforce injunctions against competitors. Apple and many other smartphone makers are embroiled in patent-based litigation in courts around the world.


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