Brussels, 27 July 2021 – Fair Standards Alliance (FSA) welcomes efforts undertaken by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to study the licensing environment of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs). On 26 July 2021, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) published the “Study Group on Licensing Environment of Standard Essential Patents Interim Report” and its English translation (‘Interim Report’).
With the increasing use of Standards Essential Patents (SEPs) in technologies that impact all aspects of our lives, it is important to ensure transparency and predictability of SEP licensing negotiations both for licensors and licensees. FSA appreciates the efforts of the Government of Japan’s METI to explore means that can enhance such transparency and predictability.
As METI continues its study of SEP licensing, we recommend that METI consider positions and resources available on the FSA website, including FSA’s Key Principles for FRAND Licensing as well as our position paper on the use (and misuse) of confidentiality obligations in FRAND licensing negotiations.
See full statement here.