MPEG LA jumped into the ATSC 3.0 mix by announcing a call for patents that are “essential” to the next-gen TV transmission standard that will blend over-the-air and broadband capabilities, support mobile devices and 4K and other new formats.
MPEG LA said the call for patents is a “first step in creating a one-stop license” for ATSC 3.0. Parties that believe they have patents that are essential to the 3.0 standards have until Sept. 8, 2017 to submit them.
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MPEG LA has created similar patent pools for standards such as EVS (Enhanced Voice Services), HEVC, DASH, MPEG-2, and AVC/H.264), as well as earlier versions of ATSC.
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MPEG LA said it recognizes that the ATSC 3.0 standards were developed by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), a group that MPEG LA isn’t affiliated with, but holds that the call for patents aims to “facilitate creation of a joint license is in response to market interest in a convenient licensing alternative.”
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“ATSC 3.0 represents a significant technological leap over current ATSC broadcast standards, developed some 20 years ago,” Larry Horn, president and CEO of MPEG LA, said in a statement. “MPEG LA is pleased to begin the process of creating an efficient one-stop license offering access to key intellectual property rights that will help make ATSC 3.0’s benefits available to consumers without delay.”
