US: US makes it easier for holders of industry-standard patents to block product sales

Today the Justice Department, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued a joint policy Statement regarding the treatment of standard-essential patents (SEP) where the patent holder has agreed to license its patents on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (F/RAND) terms.  This Statement replaces the 2013 policy statement on SEP remedies issued jointly by the Department of Justice and USPTO. 

“Consistent with Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, our patent system rewards inventors with an exclusive right to practice their inventions for a limited time,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.  “Today’s Policy Statement recognizes that when licensing negotiations fail, appropriate remedies for patent infringement, including injunctive relief, should be available to SEP holders.  The availability of the full range of remedies is necessary in order to preserve competition and incentives for innovation, and for continued participation in standards-setting activities, which can produce substantial benefits for American consumers.” 

Full Content: DOJ, Reuters

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