UCL’s patents conference spotlights FRAND and streaming standards
UCL's Faculty of Laws announced its 8th annual "Patents and Standards 2026" conference scheduled for May 14-15, 2026, in London, focusing on global market developments in intellectual property. The event features key speakers from Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Nokia, and includes panels on topics such as FRAND disputes, licensing streaming standards, patent portfolio valuation, and the role of courts and platforms.
Key Takeaways
- The conference runs May 14-15, 2026, at Beveridge Hall, Senate House, University of London, with a live stream option and 75% in-person capacity.
- Day 1 includes a 14:00 panel on “Licensing Streaming Standards” with Vera Wang (Tencent), Judy Yee (Avanci), Clemens Heusch (Nokia), Ashleigh Landis (Warner Bros. Discovery), and Scott Hayden (Amazon).
- Keynote speakers include Christina Petersson of Ericsson, Jacob Ewerdt of Qualcomm, and Clemens Heusch of Nokia.
- The agenda covers FRAND disputes, the Commission and UKIPO proposals, valuing a portfolio, platforms and pools, and whether the ecosystem works for rookie licensees and SMEs.
- Day 2 closes with a judges panel featuring judges from the UK, US, Germany, India, Brazil, and China.
Why It Matters
This is a concentrated view into where SEP and standards-policy debates are heading in 2026, and streaming is now explicitly part of that discussion. The presence of Tencent, Avanci, Warner Bros. Discovery, Amazon, Nokia, Ericsson, and Qualcomm on a “Licensing Streaming Standards” panel shows that streaming standards are being treated as a licensing issue, not just a technical one. The broader program also ties streaming to FRAND disputes, courts, and patent pools, which are the same structures shaping licensing in telecom and connected devices. Watch for the May 14 panel roster and any published materials that clarify which streaming standards are in scope.
Read full article at ucl.ac.uk