The RFID Consortium, a partnership of major RFID technology providers, has announced that Via Licensing is to administer the UHF RFID patent licensing programme.

     The RFID Consortium and Via Licensing have signed a non-binding term sheet, which provides that Via Licensing will manage the RFID licensing programme and work with essential patent holders, as well as conduct further calls for additional essential patents. Tony McQuinn, Director of Licensing programmes and Business Development for Via Licensing, will manage the programme. 116.30.145.87 This article is copyright 2006 UsingRFID.com.

Cheaper IP
     Joint licensing programmes provide the market with a convenient and cost-effective way to obtain licenses to the patents essential to practice of a standard. By doing so, the programmes encourage greater adoption of the standard. Without such a joint license, the process of providing and obtaining necessary licenses would undoubtedly be more time-consuming and expensive.

     The proposed licensing programme will be made available to all essential patent holders, whether or not they were involved in the development of RFID standards. Under the proposed licensing arrangement, all essential RFID patents owned by members of the RFID Consortium will be made available to interested companies via a single license on "fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms".

Consortium''s purpose
     The RFID Consortium, which is currently being organised, will comprise companies involved with RFID technology. The consortium''s goals are to promote rapid adoption of RFID by providing easier access - for manufacturers and end-users alike - to essential RFID patents and to provide patent owners with the opportunity to receive fair compensation, and to do so at a reasonable cost to the end-user.

     According to Kevin Ashton, a spokesperson for the RFID Consortium and vice president of marketing for ThingMagic, "Working with Via Licensing promises to accelerate our efforts to solicit essential patents holders and ultimately create a patent pool that benefits the RFID industry and patent holders alike."

     Ed Schummer, president for Via Licensing, added: "We strongly believe in the viability of UHF RFID technology, and appreciate the opportunity to undertake a significant role in supporting overall RFID market development."

 

 

 

 

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