Qualcomm Agrees to $975 Million Fine and Conduct Remedies to Resolve Chinese Standard Essential Patent Licensing Investigation

摘要

The assertion of standard essential patents (SEPs) by patent holders has raised patent, contract, and competition issues in jurisdictions around the world. One SEP holder, Qualcomm, has faced particular scrutiny with respect to its licensing practices, which are under investigation by enforcement agencies in the United States, Europe, and Asia. On February 9, 2015, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced that it had concluded its investigation into Qualcomm's patent licensing practices, with Qualcomm agreeing to pay a $975 million fine and agreeing to several remedial commitments affecting its patent licensing practices in China.