back to article Rip up secretive patent royalty deals, says new tech'n'biz coalition

Did you know that about $60 of the cost of a $400 smartphone goes to holders of something called "standards-essential patents" (SEPs)? And, when you consider that up to 250,000 patents could affect smartphones, you can see why there are such rich pickings for patent trolls ... more politely known as non-practicing entities. …

  1. Doctor Syntax Silver badge

    From whose point of view is this going to be "fair"?

  2. Anonymous Blowhard

    Or how about making "standard-essential patents" royalties payable to the standards-body that issued the standard?

    If you want your company's technology to be part of the standard definition, then you have to agree to a percentage split of royalties and a fixed charge for the total royalties for the standard.

    So those participating in standards definition get compensated for their technology, and anyone wanting to use the standard knows who to contact about royalties and has a transparent price.

    The current system of secret deals doesn't benefit business or consumers; only lawyers.

  3. Dr Fidget

    Conspicuous by their absence - Microsoft, Apple, Google ...

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