#Qualcomm #HEVC Patents #Scintillation Research

Ownership of HEVC Standard Essential Patents

The latest report by Scintillation Research provides a comprehensive review of the ownership landscape regarding HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) essential patents. Through an independent study, the organization has unveiled the holders of these pivotal patents, offering insights that are valuable for various stakeholders in the tech and media industries.

Understanding HEVC and Its Relevance

HEVC has emerged as a crucial standard for video compression, particularly in an era where high-definition and 4K content is becoming the norm. The ability to compress video efficiently is not just beneficial but necessary for streaming platforms, broadcast services, and any application reliant on visual media. As such, the patents that underpin this technology are of immense importance because they govern how the standard is implemented and shared across devices and services.

Key Findings from the Analysis

The report highlights several significant outcomes:

• - Total Patents Identified: More than 1100 patent families have been recognized as essential to the HEVC standard. This includes inputs from various contributors and developers who have played a role in shaping HEVC.
• - Leading Patent Holders: Qualcomm emerged as the dominant entity holding the largest share of HEVC standard essential patents, followed closely by a diverse set of companies, each with their stake in the technology. Notable names like Samsung, Sony, and InterDigital also hold important patent families.
• - Patent Family Breakdown: Concerning technology advancements, roughly 56% of these essential patent families are related to video encoding and decoding technologies, which are the backbone of HEVC's functionality.
• - Assignee Diversity: A total of 104 unique organizations have been identified as holders of at least one HEVC essential patent. This illustrates the collaborative and competitive nature of the technology development landscape.

Methodology of the Research

To create a robust dataset, Scintillation Research adopted a meticulous four-step approach:
1. Patents Extraction: Initially, all patents linked to authors or contributors in HEVC development were extracted.
2. Access Advance Listings: A subsequent extraction included patents documented in a list by Access Advance, as of July 1, 2025.
3. Inclusion of Via Licensing Patents: Additional patents published by Via Licensing were also considered.
4. Identification of Patent Families: The final step involved using strategic combinations of keywords, classifications, and citations to identify relevant patent families focused on newly added HEVC features.

This thorough process yielded approximately 2300 unique patent families. Each family underwent manual analysis to assess its claims' essentiality concerning the H.265 specification, ensuring a clear understanding of which patents are critical.

Policy Implications and Future Directions

The findings from this analysis carry significant policy implications for stakeholders involved in multimedia technology and telecommunications. With the rapid evolution of digital content delivery, understanding the patent framework surrounding HEVC can influence negotiations, innovation strategies, and compliance with essentiality claims.

For companies looking to navigate the complexities of HEVC implementation, this report serves as a vital resource. It documents the reasons behind essentiality assessments, including patent numbers, priority dates, claims, and excerpted sections from relevant standards, thus supporting informed decision-making.

As HEVC continues to grow in importance in the media landscape, the patent ownership and its management will remain crucial. Companies must strategically assess their portfolios and partnerships to ensure competitive advantage while navigating this evolving space.

About Scintillation Research

Founded in 2010, Scintillation Research has established itself as a trusted entity in patent consultancy, serving a wide array of stakeholders from Fortune 500 companies to inventors and universities globally. Their specialized services encompass patent litigation support, essentiality evaluation, and strategic advisory, ensuring comprehensive insights across diverse technology sectors. As video technology continues to progress, reports like this will be vital for stakeholders to manage their intellectual property effectively.

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