MHP patent pool experience prompts DVB to reinforce IPR policy

Geneva â 30 November 2007 â The DVB Project has announced the adoption of new procedures in its efforts to promote the wide availability of technology based on DVB standards. This initiative is the result of a broad review, still on-going, undertaken by DVB on its policy governing intellectual property rights (IPRs). DVB launched the review in response to membersâ concerns about the perceived delays and uncertainties in relation to the launch of the MHP licensing programme. The review has also addressed questions directed to DVB by the European Commission on DVBâs IPR policy and the need for timely disclosure of licensing terms for essential intellectual property rights.

DVB has long fostered the development of voluntary licensing programmes (patent pools); one noteworthy programme grants licences to patents essential to its DVB-T standard. As a result of the IPR review, DVB has now added new procedures to its activities to encourage patent pools:

• Those responding to a âCall for Technologyâ may be requested to confirm a willingness to enter into a patent pool;
• The early launch of the pooling effort can be promoted through the convening of information meetings while a specification is still under development;
• Once a pool is in formation by rights holders and a facilitator, the DVB Project Office will monitor the progress of the pool and, where required, lend technical and other support to help completion of the programme; and
• Assertions of essentiality of patents included within a pool may be subject to âpeer reviewâ by DVB specialists.

These measures are intended to be used selectively and to complement the other means DVB has used in the past to promote patent pools. These include an initial âlight-touch essentiality reviewâ to determine a holderâs eligibility to participate in the initial meetings of a pool-in-formation, and a forum for exchange of views among members on the terms proposed by a licensing programme. In exceptional cases, DVB also assists in the preparation of the licensing framework.

Carter Eltzroth, Legal Director DVB, stated, âIt was our frustration with the MHP process and its results that sparked DVBâs policy review. The MHP pool took too long to complete and its results are surrounded by multiple layers of confidentiality. Implementers canât easily assess the quality of the patents included in the pool. Our pilot peer review programme raised a number of technical points on the MHP patents, but the confidentiality rules within the MHP licensing programme have blocked any meaningful discussion with the patent holders or the pool administrator.â

Peter MacAvock, Executive Director DVB, said, âMHP has pointed to some flaws in the pooling process. Our IPR review is addressing these issues. And the new measures are already showing results, with the completion in a matter of months of the new licensing programme for CSA3 [Common Scrambling Algorithm] technology and the reinvigorated effort for DVB-H.â

Commenting on this IPR initiative, Anthony Dixon, Chairman of DVBâs IPR Module (and General Counsel Pace Micro Technology plc) said, âDVB has been able to add to its IPR toolkit within the policy framework long established by the DVBâs Memorandum of Understanding.During 2008, the IPRM will continue to examine methods to improve the transparency of the results of the pooling process and otherwise to foster the early and easy availability of licences of patents for implementing DVB standards.â

Patent pool fostering is one element of DVBâs policy on intellectual property rights. That policy also commits each DVB member to grant licences to its IPRs essential to DVB standards on terms fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory except if the member has given notice otherwise.

Download PDF of official press release.

Note: The IPR rules of the DVB Project are contained in article 14 of the DVBâs Memorandum of Understanding. An article by DVBâs Legal Director provides further background on the IPR policy and its development.