Professional association IEEE, US, has announced the launch of the IEEE 802.11 Patent Pool Exploratory Forum. Through the forum, owners of patents essential to IEEE 802.11 standards will discuss licensing practices, options for licensing administration and other issues related to launching a patent pool for IEEE 802.11-2012 and appropriate extensions to the standard.
The IEEE 802.11 Patent Pool Exploratory Forum was formed at the request of IEEE members in order to foster one or more patent pools covering IEEE 802.11-2012 technologies. In May 2012, IEEE had announced the publication of IEEE 802.11-2012, which seeks to define the technology for the world’s premier wireless LAN products.
IEEE 802.11-based products are often branded as "Wi-Fi" in the market. IEEE 802.11 standards underpin wireless networking applications around the world, such as wireless access to the Internet from offices, homes, airports, hotels, restaurants, trains and aircraft. IEEE 802.11's relevance continues to expand with the emergence of new applications, such as the smart grid and the "Internet of Things."
The IEEE 802.11 Patent Pool Exploratory Forum is designed to promote the fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory availability of licences essential to IEEE 802.11 through patent pools. The forum intends also to examine how to streamline the process of pool formation in order to make such joint licensing programmes feasible for participation by a wider scope of industry members and for a wider selection of standards.
Thirteen companies are participating in the forum. Companies that have submitted or intend to submit Letters of Assurance covering IEEE 802.11 technologies are encouraged to participate in the IEEE 802.11 Patent Pool Exploratory Forum. To participate or learn more about the forum, contact Edward Rashba or Carter Eltzroth. The forum's next meeting is scheduled to be a teleconference at 6 pm Eastern August 29, 2012.
