To prevent the misuse of patent rights

B9 10841. EU Commissaris Joaquín Almunia (mededinging): “Standards are the best tool to promote interoperability of devices or to define safety or quality benchmarks. Once a standard is adopted, it becomes the norm and the underlying patents are indispensable. Owners of such standard essential patents are conferred a power on the market that they cannot be allowed to misuse. Standardisation processes must be fair and transparent, so that they are not in the hands of established firms willing to impose their technologies.

But it is not enough. We must also ensure that, once they hold standard essential patents, companies give effective access on fair, reasonable and non discriminatory terms. This is crucial if we want industries and businesses relying on such patents to develop freely to their utmost potential.

I am determined to use antitrust enforcement to prevent the misuse of patent rights to the detriment of a vigorous and accessible market. I have initiated investigations on this issue in several sectors and we will see the results in due time.”

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