Historic Patent Auction: $4.5B Sale of Nortel's Portfolio to Consortium

Strategic Insights -

The massive $4.5 billion auction of Nortel's patent portfolio has sent shockwaves through the business world, drawing attention from intellectual property (IP) licensing and commercialization professionals. Scheduled to take place at the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada) Inc.'s 2011 Annual Meeting, this historic transaction has far-reaching implications for the global business community. A consortium of Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, Research In Motion, and Sony will acquire 6,000 Nortel patents and patent applications related to telecommunications technology.

Key Takeaways:

  • The $4.5 billion sale of Nortel's patent portfolio is considered the largest in history, with 6,000 patents and patent applications being acquired by a consortium of tech giants.
  • The transaction has immense implications for the IP licensing and commercialization industry, with experts expecting a ripple effect throughout the global business community.
  • The sale emphasizes the growing importance of patents in the business world, as companies learn to leverage these assets for competitive advantage.
  • The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada) Inc. will host an exclusive briefing featuring auction architects and participants to provide insights and discussion on the transaction.
  • Panel participants will discuss the importance of patents in transactions, asset identification, valuation, and due diligence, as well as auction dynamics and visions for the future.

Statistics:

  • $4.5 billion: The sale price of Nortel's patent portfolio.
  • 6,000: The number of patents and patent applications acquired by the consortium.
  • October 16-19: The dates of the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada) Inc.'s 2011 Annual Meeting in San Diego.
  • 1,000+: The number of IP, licensing, and business development leaders expected to attend the meeting.
  • $100: The discount on registration fees for attendees who register before August 31, 2011.

Sources:

  • Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada) Inc. (n.d.)
  • Lasinski, M. (n.d.). Quote from Michael Lasinski, President of LES (USA & Canada)
  • "Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada) Annual Meeting." (n.d.) www.les2011.org