Apple, Cisco, Daimler and BMW have urged the European Commission to take action on patent abuses that are hampering the development of self-driving cars and other connected devices. Stifles innovation“The practice of some [standard essential patent] owners to grant licences only to certain companies . prevents companies across the internet of things and related innovative technology industries from planning investments in R&D,” the letter said. As a group they claim to have invested more than €45 billion in research and development, and own more than 200,000 patents and patent applications, including standard essential patents. CrucialAccess to standard essential patents is at the heart of developing crucial technology which enables objects, from fridges and washing machines to smart energy meters, to send and receive data.

Source: The Irish Times December 17, 2019 20:15 UTC