GM has entered a patent license agreement with Avanci that will give the automaker access to thousands of essential 2G, 3G and 4G patents for its future connected vehicle technology.
By signing this agreement with Avanci, GM and its family of brands will receive licenses to the 2G, 3G, and 4G essential patents that participate in the Avanci marketplace today, as well as any patent owners that join Avanci in the future.
Vehicles with wireless connectivity require licenses to thousands of patents, as they may need to access certain networks or use certain connected vehicle technologies over their lifetime, which have been created by many different inventors. Avanci offers these essential patents in an efficient one-stop marketplace, making it easier for automakers like GM to obtain the licenses they need. Without Avanci or an equivalent service, OEMs would be forced to contact each technology owner to request, negotiate and pay for a license, which could be more costly and time-consuming.
“We are very pleased to welcome General Motors, the largest US based automotive manufacturer and one of the largest worldwide, as an Avanci licensee,” said Avanci founder Kasim Alfalah. “This agreement demonstrates our focus on streamlining the patent licensing process for the automotive market with efficient, predictable licensing solutions through our one-stop Avanci marketplace.”
Connected vehicle technologies will allow cars to speak to other vehicles, as well as road infrastructure.
An abundance of major OEMs have signed on with the Avanci marketplace, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Porsche. Major licensors of common connected vehicle patents include Blackberry, LG Electronics, NTT Data, Nokia, Hewlett-Packard, Asus, Sony, Philips, Siemens, Panasonic, Sharp and Vodafone, among many others.
“Avanci’s truly independent marketplace has transformed the way companies share technology by licensing intellectual property from many different patent holders in a single transaction, at low, fixed rates, paid once for the lifetime of the vehicle,” the company says. “By streamlining the technology sharing process, Avanci provides automotive manufacturers with an efficient and transparent way to access the wireless technology needed for their connected vehicles.”
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