City Research Online

Abstract

This article analyes the emergence of FRAND interim licences in UK law, a judicial innovation addressing disputes over standard-essential patents ( SEPs) during protracted negotiations or litigation. Reviewing landmark cases, i.e. Panasonic v Xiaomi , Alcatel Lucent v Amazon , Lenovo v Ericsson , and Samsung v ZTE , it explains how interim licences balance the interests of SEP holders and implementers by enabling continued technology use with provisional royalties, subject to retroactive adjustment. The study highlights the mechanism’s grounding in good faith obligations, its distinction from anti-suit injunctions, analogies in other legal fields, and its potential to influence global FRAND policy and standard-setting practices.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in European Intellectual Property Review (EIPR) following peer review. The definitive published version Bonadio, E. & Solanki, A. (2025). The Emergence of FRAND Interim Licences. European Intellectual Property Review, 47(10), pp. 592-603 is available online on Westlaw UK (https://legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.co.uk/en/products-services/westlaw-uk.html)
Publisher Keywords:	Fair reasonable and non-discriminatory terms; Interim relief; Licences; Standard-essential patents
Subjects:	K Law > K Law (General) T Technology > T Technology (General) > T201 Patents. Trademarks
Departments:	The City Law School The City Law School > Academic Programmes
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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