The Role of FRAND License in Facilitating Technical Standards-setting Process

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of International Trade & Intellectual Property Law Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

2 M. A in Intellectual Property Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Facing proprietary rights of individuals, standard-setting organizations have developed strategies based on intellectual property rights. One of the most important strategies is the commitment to grant Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) licenses. This commitment plays an important role in advancing the benefits of standardization, including interoperability, development of innovation, promotion of competition and enhancement of consumer welfare. The present study is going to demonstrate the importance of technical standards and the role of standard setting organizations in their creation and development and analyze the key role of FRAND license in determination and commercialization of standard essential patents. This paper shows that there is serious challenge between the process of choosing a standard and the exclusive rights arising from a technology, therefore, it is crucial that standard setting organizations and technology holder reach an agreement to grant specific licenses to implementers of technical standards. The aspects of the subject are not known in Iranian law and there are no special provisions in this regard. The compulsory license is not an appropriate device to reply various expectations and demands in this field, but considering and analyzing of the existing approaches and legal procedures can be beneficial and constructive to link these patents up with the standard setting process and development of technical standards related to intellectual properties.

Keywords

References

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Private Law
Volume 15, Issue 2
Autumn & Winter
October 2018
Pages 373-394

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