Wifi Revolution

Wi-LAN Inc. has announced that it has acquired a portfolio of 10 issued and pending U.S. patents which are essential to multi-mode and multi-standard communication devices.

 

According to Wi-LAN, the inventions protected by these patents are used in U.S. products which combine multiple standards and modulation formats. U.S. products which combine two or more wireless formats, including GSM, CDMA, WiFi (News - Alert), WiMAX or EDGE, will thus require a license.

 

Andrew Parolin, VP Business Development said that these patents have several claims that would be infringed by most cellular handsets sold in the United States today. Wi-LAN believes GSM/Edge cell phones, which is a format used by most GSM phones sold in the U.S. today, will require a license.

 

The company informs that the portfolio purchase was brokered through the law firm of Goldstein, Faucett & Prebeg, LLP for a purchase price of U.S. $7,000,000. There is a potential of additional consideration of up to U.S. $4,000,000 based on meeting certain licensing milestones. Wi-LAN points out that the patents expire August 10, 2019.

 

Jim Skippen, president and CEO believes this acquisition is an important milestone for Wi-LAN and a great success for their patent acquisition team. Wi-LAN’s strategy is to continually acquire valuable patents to increase the value proposition for licensees and to ensure that their licensing program can continue indefinitely.

 

The portfolio is not heavily licensed and the current licensees include Nokia and Siemens (News - Alert). Wi-LAN's current portfolio totals 237 patents with the addition of these latest patents.

 

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