Samsung may have the benefit within the next wave of patent battles, as 4G technology becomes mainstream and legal wars change accordingly.
Briefly boils lower complex occasions to provide you with one's heart from the matter -- today and what it really method for tomorrow -- clearly and just.
What Is Happening: Samsung holds the majority of next-generation 4G patents, based on research launched by IRunway, a technology research firm concentrating in lawsuit support.
Samsung moved its research-and-development emphasis from chipsets and memory to 4G technologies, particularly features that raise the usage and control over high-speed bandwidth, energy and reliability. Consequently, the Korean electronics giant is by far the biggest holder of 4G-related patents, passing on a benefit both in short-term patent battles and also the lengthy-term industry picture.
What's Really Happening: Samsung is bringing together an especially relevant section of intellectual property, as service providers and make contact with makers start to increase their 4G choices. All major service providers are building out their 4G systems inside a race to enhance speed and lock lower customers into lucrative data contracts. Phone lineups will even start to stress 4G-capable phones, and device producers will change as customers flock to rapid systems.
To put it simply, the way forward for the mobile industry is based on 4G. Because the biggest patent holder of 4G technologies, Samsung is within an excellent spot to make the most on several levels.
What's Next: Samsung and rival Apple are generally slated to go to settlement talks over their sprawling, complex patent battles, which span nearly 20 legal cases in 10 nations. Samsung's 4G IP holdings could provide a benefit as both sides approach the discussions, especially since Apple holds relatively couple of 4G patents. Based on iRunway, the apple iphone maker isn't even just in the very best ten of 4G patent holders.
"Samsung is much in front of the curve, about 50 % more patents than its nearest rival," stated Animesh Kumar, co-founding father of iRunway. "And Apple will need to license lots of 4G technology."
Equipped with an invaluable group of patents on the key emerging technology, Samsung could negotiate a good settlement with Apple, one which creates a lucrative certification agreement between your two companies.
However, Apple could still hold on against its market rival. In the analysis of the items it calls "seminal patents" -- patents particularly valuable for impact, innovation and legal strength -- nick and memory maker Qualcomm may be the top holder, based on iRunway, then Samsung. Apple already licenses 4G technology from Qualcomm, a significant licensor, and can likely continue that relationship.
Apple's disagreement with Samsung in the patent wars also mostly covers OS and interface. Samsung is comparatively weak on UO patents, a place of strength for Apple, so Apple could have top of the submit key regions of its legal argument.
The Takeaway: Regardless of what happens in the present Apple legal war, Samsung's strength in 4G patents -- in addition to key rivals' relative weakness within the same area -- assists the Korean company well over time, especially as 4G ramps up in the market. It will likely be a powerful position to license key software and operating features with other companies, garnering Samsung healthy amounts of revenue either by means of massive lump sums or a part of rival phone revenues.
More ominously because of its rivals, Samsung's patent portfolio puts it inside a strong position to initiate patent violation lawsuit within an industry in which the fight is equally as fierce within the court docket because it is available on the market.
Right now, patent battles concentrate on 3rd generation technologies. But 4G would be the standard within the next 3 to 5 years, and also the focus of lawsuits will change accordingly. "Firms that were the main thing on previous patent battles could find themselves outmaneuvered by individuals which have already invested heavily within the 4G arena," stated Kumar.
Unless of course the likes of Apple begin ramping up their IP in this region, they might end up vulnerable within the next wave of patent wars.
Briefly: Samsung's Ace In The Hole Against Apple initially made an appearance at Mobiledia on Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:00 pm.
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