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Valz, Duane R. --- "Unilateral patent pledges: motivations and key principles" [2017] ELECD 523; in Contreras, L. Jorge; Jacob, Meredith (eds), "Patent Pledges" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) 37

Book Title: Patent Pledges

Editor(s): Contreras, L. Jorge; Jacob, Meredith

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781785362484

Section: Chapter 2

Section Title: Unilateral patent pledges: motivations and key principles

Author(s): Valz, Duane R.

Number of pages: 19

Abstract/Description:

The patent landscape over the past 15 years has been characterized by two major trends: (1) litigation and aggressive licensing activity by non-practicing entities (NPEs), and (2) litigation conducted by or on behalf of operating companies in high stakes emerging industry segments, such as mobile computing. Within this period of time, we have also seen the emergence of unilateral patent pledges, as described in this volume. This chapter offers a view on the motivations for patent pledges, particularly free patent pledges, paying particular attention to Google’s Open Patent Non-Assertion Pledge. The chapter also briefly addresses how patent pledges are distinguished from, yet complement, networked community cross licenses, another emerging development over the past 15 years. Finally, this chapter presents normative views on certain issues presented by unilateral patent pledges, in view of the fact that such pledges have not to date been tested in litigation.