SEP/FRAND: Historical Origins and the Rambus Case

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18256/2238-0604.2026.v22i.5368

Keywords:

SEP; FRAND; Rambus; essential patent.

Abstract

Offering a license of standard essential patents on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms has become a requirement for the subsequent exercise of patent rights, especially injunctions. However, the Rambus case, one of the precursors of this system, has peculiarities that demonstrate that excessive concern about potential anti-competitive effects of essential patents can have the reverse effect of discouraging technological innovation and even encouraging the adoption of conflicting practices by members of technical standards development organizations, whether they are implementers, patent holders, or both.

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Author Biography

  • Marcio Merkl, PUC/PR

    Advogado e agente da Propriedade Industrial, sócio da Abreu, Merkl e Advogados Associados, Curitiba, Brasil. Diplomado pelo “Intellectual Property and Business Strategy”, Harvard Business School, mestre em Direito pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUC/PR). Presidente da Comissão de Propriedade Intelectual da OAB/PR, Membro do Comitê “Standards & Patents” da AIPPI - Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle. Professor do Curso de Pós-graduação em Propriedade Intelectual na PUC/PR.

References

CONSELHO ADMINISTRATIVO DE DEFESA ECONÔMICA (CADE), Departamento de Estudos Econômicos – DEE, Contribuições do Cade: Patentes Essenciais, disponível em https://cdn.cade.gov.br/Portal/centrais-de-conteudo/publicacoes/contribuicoes-do-cade/Contribui%c3%a7%c3%b5es-do-Cade-Patentes-Essenciais.pdf. Acesso em: 10.jun.2026.

CONSELHO ADMINISTRATIVO DE DEFESA ECONÔMICA (CADE), Ericsson vs TCT, CADE Procedimento Preparatório nº 08700.008409/2014-00.

CONSELHO ADMINISTRATIVO DE DEFESA ECONÔMICA (CADE), Motorola, Lenovo vs Ericsson, Procedimento Preparatório nº 08700.003442/2024-16.

HENNESSY, J. et PATTERSON, D.; Computer Architecture: a Quantitative Approach, 3rd edition, (2003). Morgan-Kaufmann Publishers, Inc. ISBN 9781558607248.

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BUSINESS AND PROPERTY COURTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES, Intellectual Property List (Chd) Patents Court, Neutral Citation Number: [2026] EWHC 999 (Pat) Case No: HP-2024-000044, 01.Mai.2026, Mr. Justice Mead.

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT, Rambus Incorporated, Petitioner Vs. Federal Trade Commission, Respondent; 22.Apr.2008; 522 F.3d 456, 380 U.S.App.D.C. 431.

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS, FEDERAL CIRCUIT, Rambus Inc., Plaintiff-Appellant, Vs. Infineon Technologies Ag, Infineon Technologies North America Corp., and Infineon Technologies Holding North America Inc., Defendants- Cross Appellants. 29.Jan.2003. 318 F.3d 1081.

YOFFIE, David B. Rambus Inc., 2005. Harvard Business School Case 706-416, August 2005. (Revised April 2006.).

ZINGALES, Nicolo, et al. Litígios de patentes essenciais uma perspectiva brasileira. Rio de Janeiro: FGV Direito Rio, 2025. 130 p.

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Published

2026-07-06

Issue

Vol. 22 (2026): Special Edition

Section

SEP - FRAND

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Marcio Merkl

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How to Cite

MERKL, Marcio. SEP/FRAND: Historical Origins and the Rambus Case. Revista Brasileira de Direito, Passo Fundo, RS, Brasil, v. 22, 2026. DOI: 10.18256/2238-0604.2026.v22i.5368. Disponível em: https://seer.atitus.edu.br/index.php/revistadedireito/article/view/5368. Acesso em: 7 jul. 2026.