In September 2024, the patent transaction landscape saw over 750 deals, with consumer products dominating the sales, closely followed by telecommunications and biotechnology. This article provides insights into major transactions, key market players, and high-demand technologies to refine your approach to partnerships, patent acquisitions, and competitive positioning. 

This article kicks off our monthly series on patent transactions, with more insights to come. Subscribe to our IP newsletter for upcoming, industry-focused insights and to stay alert to potential litigation threats.

Spotlight of the month

Is Intellectual Ventures (IV) preparing for a legal battle?

IV’s acquisition of patents from Callahan Cellular LLC stands out, especially given the technology at the heart of this transaction. The patents—US7821984B2 and US7324469B2—focus on satellite connectivity for internet access. With over 200 past litigation cases, more than half related to telecom and wireless technologies, IV’s recent purchase will lay the groundwork for new activities.

USPTO examiners have used them to reject applications from prominent tech companies like Qualcomm, VMware, and OpenPeak. Additionally, AT&T has cited these patents, suggesting their relevance to ongoing developments in satellite and wireless technologies.

In another move, IV has acquired six additional patents from Zarbaña Digital Fund LLC, all attributed to a single inventor, Shaolin Li. These patents cover wireless communication, signal processing, and multi-antenna system advancements. These innovations make up the core components of next-generation Wi-Fi technology, which boosts range, robustness, and throughput via advanced antenna processing techniques. 

What these acquisitions mean for the communication sector

Intellectual Ventures (IV) has actively engaged in litigation involving multi-antenna wireless technologies. In August 2023, IV filed a lawsuit against Ubiquiti, Inc., alleging infringement of a wireless communications patent related to multi-antenna systems.

Intellectual Ventures (IV) has been actively enforcing its patent portfolio in this domain. In a notable case, a Texas jury awarded IV $34 million from T-Mobile and $9 million from Ericsson, finding that both companies infringed on IV’s patents related to wireless technology used in LTE networks.

The heightened activity around these patents may represent an emerging litigation risk for companies operating in these sectors. Companies must closely monitor these developments, as they will influence future licensing and litigation strategies within the industry.

Insights overview

As the month’s transactions unfold, several key insights emerge from the 759 IP transfers recorded in September:

• New Ownership: 33 patents were transferred to new owners, spanning across seven companies from a range of sectors. These entities are likely preparing to monetize these assets through licensing or litigation.
• Internal Transfers: The remaining 230 transfers were within the same entity or between parent-subsidiary or company-inventor groups, indicating internal restructuring rather than new ownership.
• Patent Mortgaging: Notably, 496 patents were mortgaged by 40 unique companies, highlighting a growing trend of IP assets being used as collateral.

Top patent buyers in September 2024

In September’s IP landscape, a mix of industry players emerged as major buyers, with notable acquisitions from Intellectual Ventures and a range of companies from  medical devices to cybersecurity:

Company Name	General Industry Sector
Amsino Medical Inc	Medical Devices / Healthcare
Intellectual Ventures I Llc	Intellectual Property / Investment
Intellectual Ventures II Llc	Intellectual Property / Investment
Lannray Optoelectronics Zhenjiang Co Ltd	Optoelectronics / Semiconductor Technology
Project X18 Inc	Technology Development / Innovation
Rapid7 Inc	Cybersecurity
Wsp Investment II Bv	Financial Services / Investment

If you want to buy patents in similar technology, it’s crucial to identify the right sellers and set up the appropriate process for these transactions.

GreyB helps businesses understand and navigate the world of patent transactions and intellectual property with clarity and purpose. Partnering with GreyB means discovering new opportunities, protecting your intellectual property, and making confident, well-informed decisions. Our team specializes in patent analysis, technology research, and competitive insights, offering practical strategies tailored to your goals.

At GreyB, we believe in going beyond just insights. We provide clear, actionable plans that help you stay competitive and prepared in a fast-evolving market. We take your challenges seriously, working alongside you to find the most valuable opportunities for growth and protection.

Top patent sellers in September 2024

The analysis of recent transactions highlights several key sellers across diverse industries. The table below lists the companies actively selling patents and the sectors they operate in:

Company Name	Industry in which they sold patents
Alcor Scientific Llc	Biotechnology / Scientific Instruments
Zarbaña Digital Fund Llc	Financial Services / Private Equity
Callahan Cellular Llc	Telecommunications / Consumer Electronics
Furcifer Inc	Semiconductor Technology / Electronics
Savior Products Inc	Consumer Products / Innovation Technology
Noetic Cyber Inc	Cybersecurity
Franke Technology And Trademark Ltd	Technology Development / Intellectual Property Management

The biotechnology industry faces rising R&D costs, regulatory challenges, and a push for innovation in gene therapy, personalized medicine, and drug development. As a result, companies are divesting patents to reallocate resources or fund high-cost R&D projects, especially in early-stage research areas.

Trends in patent mortgaging

Patent mortgaging continues to be a key strategy across industries, with companies in biotechnology, semiconductors, and telecommunications among the most active.

Role of financial institutions – Banks & Private Equity Firms

Banks and private equity firms remain central to IP transactions, particularly through loans secured by patents. Here’s an overview of key financial players and the technology areas they’re supporting:

Banks	Technology areas where funding was provided
JP Morgan	Drug Development and Delivery Solutions, Data Solutions, Eco-friendly solutions, Heavy Equipment Manufacturing and Technology, Automotive Part Manufacturing
Bank of America	Cloud-based and Data Analytics Solutions,  Collaboration Software and Enterprise Social Networking, Drilling Fluids and Oilfield Services
Provident Bank	Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing
BANC OF CALIFORNIA	Wireless Broadband Communication Technology

Private Equity Firms	Technology areas where funding was provided
Zions Bancorporation	Manufacturing
Trinity Capital Inc	Wireless Communication
Avenue Capital Management Lp	Biotechnology
Amazon Investment Holdings Llc	Nuclear Energy Industry
Sompo Holdings Inc	Risk Management & Consulting

Conclusion

Observing the activities of key players involved in patent acquisitions highlights changing market priorities and potential opportunities for collaboration or competition. By keeping up with these patent trends across various industries, you can take advantage of high-demand technologies and minimize potential risks before they affect operations. 

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Authored by: Ojasvi Jain, Solutions Team