Innovation and Legislation: Standardization in ... - The Bolin Group
Innovation and Legislation: Standardization in ... - The Bolin Group
Innovation and Legislation: Standardization in ... - The Bolin Group
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efore the st<strong>and</strong>ard when it had multiple competitors. If market power is proven, the FTC must also<br />
prove exclusionary conduct, mean<strong>in</strong>g that the company ga<strong>in</strong>ed market power through<br />
anticompetitive practices. For further <strong>in</strong>formation <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>tellectual property recommendations, see<br />
the report at http://www.ftc.gov/reports/<strong>in</strong>dex.htm. An additional report entitled “<strong>Innovation</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> Antitrust,” which covers st<strong>and</strong>ard sett<strong>in</strong>g issues, will be published <strong>in</strong> March 2004 at<br />
http://www.ftc.gov.<br />
Obviously, as SSOs move forward <strong>in</strong> attempt<strong>in</strong>g to resolve their IPR issues, fears of antitrust<br />
abound. To date, there is no clear l<strong>in</strong>e that def<strong>in</strong>es which behaviors will be deemed antitrust or which<br />
will not. This is of particular concern as some SSOs adopt an ex ante policy, requir<strong>in</strong>g that<br />
organizations reveal their <strong>in</strong>tellectual property early <strong>in</strong> the st<strong>and</strong>ards process. This lack of a clear<br />
def<strong>in</strong>ition will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to cause chaos <strong>in</strong> the st<strong>and</strong>ardization process, creat<strong>in</strong>g numerous <strong>and</strong><br />
possibly unnecessary lawsuits <strong>and</strong> leav<strong>in</strong>g companies <strong>and</strong> SSOs with their h<strong>and</strong>s tied, afraid to take a<br />
progressive step to resolve the issue.<br />
Chang<strong>in</strong>g Markets, Chang<strong>in</strong>g Strategies<br />
VALUE OF STANDARDS<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce this was a conference on st<strong>and</strong>ardization, it is not surpris<strong>in</strong>g that many of those attend<strong>in</strong>g<br />
touted their value. However, not all of the speakers or participants make their liv<strong>in</strong>g from<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ardization. Podesta, for example, reported that we pay attention to st<strong>and</strong>ards because they serve<br />
as a powerful eng<strong>in</strong>e of economic growth, make markets operate more efficiently, spur competition,<br />
<strong>and</strong> reduce transaction costs. <strong>The</strong> result is more jobs, <strong>in</strong>creased productivity, <strong>and</strong> better products. He<br />
stated that st<strong>and</strong>ards have a significant impact on economic trade <strong>and</strong> policy, cit<strong>in</strong>g that “About 80%<br />
of global merch<strong>and</strong>ise trade is affected by st<strong>and</strong>ards <strong>and</strong> regulations that embody st<strong>and</strong>ards. And<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ards <strong>in</strong>fluence approximately about $200 billion <strong>in</strong> trade<br />
About 80% of global<br />
between Europe <strong>and</strong> the US alone.” Both Bond <strong>and</strong> Yamauchi<br />
merch<strong>and</strong>ise trade is stated that st<strong>and</strong>ards are <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly important for trade. And<br />
affected by st<strong>and</strong>ards <strong>and</strong> most would agree with them—st<strong>and</strong>ards not only have the ability<br />
to facilitate global trade, but they also have the potential to serve<br />
regulations that embody<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ards.<br />
8 “Hold up” problems: A situation <strong>in</strong> which patented IP is <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> a st<strong>and</strong>ard <strong>and</strong> the owner of that<br />
patent dem<strong>and</strong>s licens<strong>in</strong>g terms beyond what the SSO considers reasonable.<br />
<strong>Innovation</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Legislation</strong>: St<strong>and</strong>ardization <strong>in</strong> Conflict<br />
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