Welcome to the latest edition of the Sisvel Insights weekly round-up, aggregating news stories, analyses and data points affecting the SEP world that have caught our eye over the past seven days

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Last week, Sisvel announced a big move in the Chinese market with the appointment of Yixiong Zou as our first-ever managing director for the country. A veteran licensing executive with experience spanning top patent owners and technology implementers, Yixiong will spearhead our expansion into what is already among the world’s most significant innovation centres, and one which is only going to become more important. Sisvel has been operating out of Hong Kong for a number of years, but we’ll be going a step further now, with plans to open an office in Shenzhen, where Yixiong and the team he recruits will be based. Stay tuned for further announcements over the coming months.

In another major development, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition released draft revisions to the Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation and Guidelines. Several noteworthy changes – including with regards to pools and the recognition of the potential for licensing negotiation groups – will be studied very closely in all parts of the SEP licensing market, with a view to submitting comments by the deadline of 23^rd October.

Elsewhere, InterDigital secured a preliminary injunction in Brazil against Disney in a suit relating to AVC and HEVC video coding technology; while in the US it was announced that former Department of Justice antitrust head Makan Delrahim would be chair of the USPTO’s Patent Public Advisory Committee.

Please note that inclusion of a piece in the list below does not signify agreement with what is stated in the linked article, just that we believe it is of interest and worth pointing out.

Market

Sisvel appointed Yixiong Zou as its first Managing Director, China and announced plans to open a new office in Shenzhen. Sisvel | Sisvel appoints IP leader to head China business and establish Shenzhen office

• Zou told IAM more about his background and Sisvel’s plans for China expansion. Sisvel grows China presence and names first mainland director - IAM 🔒

Legal

InterDigital secured a preliminary injunction in Brazil against Disney over the entertainment giant’s use of AVC and HEVC related patents. InterDigital - Press Release

Wi-Fi equipment manufacturer TP-Link has sued Huawei at the High Court of England & Wales. TP-Link’s UK lawsuit against Huawei appears uneconomical: widely accepted pool option and potential German blowback – ip fray

Xiaomi commenced litigation at the High Court of England & Wales targeting ASUS and Innovative Sonic, which are plaintiffs in the Munich Regional Court against the Chinese firm. Xiaomi seeks UK FRAND ruling in ASUS, Innovative Sonic SEP dispute – ip fray

Policy & Opinion

The European Commission has published a draft version of a new Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation and Guidelines. Public Consultation - European Commission

Former DOJ antitrust chief Makan Delrahim is the head of the USPTO’s newly reconstituted public advisory board for patents. Lutnick Picks Ex-DOJ, TM Leaders To Advise USPTO - Law360🔒

A stable economy requires stable patent rights, USPTO Acting Director Coke Morgan Stewart said, explaining the administration’s ‘settled expectations’ doctrine for PTAB reviews. Melissa Ritti - LinkedIn post

The China National Intellectual Property Administration has said it will tighten patent examination standards to ensure quality and consistency. China vows stricter patent reviews to balance efficiency and legal certainty | MLex 🔒

The Irish government has ruled out holding a referendum on joining the UPC system on the same day as the country’s presidential election. A vote on Ireland joining the Unified Patent Court has been kicked down the road again - The Currency :The Currency

Strategy & Analysis

Recent Delhi High Court decisions clarify the threshold for obtaining pro-tem relief and underline the court’s concern about hold-out. Sisvel | Recent Indian court decisions strike a blow against hold-out

FRAND determinations must be anchored in real-world licensing practices, working from the best available comparables. Comparable licences in FRAND negotiations: a principled starting point for valuation - IAM 🔒

The English Court of Appeal’s Optis decision could have major implications for the smartphone industry if not overturned, writes John Mulgrew. Supreme Court Optis/Apple review needed to avoid erosion of trust in UK rate-setting - IAM 🔒

The now-shelved EU SEP regulation would have endangered European innovation in the digital economy and reduced Europe’s role in the development of telecom standards. The Proposed EU Regulation for Standard Essential Patents: Chronicle of a Death Foretold |