An Introduction to Standard Essential Patents Part –III

The modern world is increasingly getting interactive with holistic inter-connectedness; the same is made possible by virtue of standards which in turn sometimesare based on patented technologies. A laptop for instance must have to meet a humongous number of standards and hence requires a patented technology in doing so. But just like the builder doesn’t manufacture bricks on its own, he rather purchases them, so is the case with technological building blocks for any product. These aforesaid patented technological building blocks are the ones that are often termed/ categorized as ‘Standard Essential Patents’.

What motivated us as student of IP laws to usher this domain is the topical and contemporaneous nature along with increase in relevance of this technical domain of patent law. With the ever advancement of technology, this field is highly debated and is being worked upon in various sectors including academics! We being a part of academics and are engaged into the research of this topic would try to give a thorough discourse through a series of articles spanning across upcoming volumes of this journal. This third installment of yearlong series provides a fundamental overview of SEPs. It explains the concept of SEPs, their role in the patent system, and their importance inthe innovation process. It also examines the various types of SEPs, the different licensing models, and the current challenges posed by SEPs. Finally, the article provides an overview of the current legal landscape surrounding SEPs. The article provides a comprehensive introduction to SEPs and their implications in the modernintellectual property landscape.