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Q: What does the Wireless Mesh Patent Portfolio cover?
A: The Wireless Mesh Patent Portfolio provides coverage for products/services incorporating wireless multi-hop protocols such as ZigBee, Z-Wave, RF4CE, 6LoWPAN, EnOcean, WirelessHART, ISA100.11a, IEEE 802.15.4 and/or proprietary multi-hop protocols and other applications in a variety of areas. These include Smart Grid, building automation, industrial controls, network backhaul, smart vehicles, home appliances, home automation, home entertainment, sensor monitoring and Internet service provisioning.
Q: Who developed the Wireless Mesh Patent Portfolio?
A: The patents in the Wireless Mesh Patent Portfolio are owned by SIPCO LLC and IntusIQ, founded by Mr. David Petite.
Mr. Petite began his career in wireless enabled devices with the development of personalized portable security systems. In the early 1990’s, Mr. Petite founded StatSignal Systems, Inc. which introduced multi-hop wireless network technology, including the Smart Meter, to the utility and healthcare industries. Over the next decade he developed wireless control and distribution technology to move data seamlessly along organized networks.
Mr. Petite has received wide acclaim for his achievements. The son of a Chippewa Chief from Wisconsin, he is also the founder of the Native American Intellectual Property Enterprise Council, a non-profit organization that provides support for Native American inventors, Tribes and Native owned businesses.
Q: How can coverage be obtained?
A: Users can obtain coverage by signing the Wireless Network Patent Portfolio License I (“Wireless Network License I”) and/or the Wireless Network Patent Portfolio License II (“Wireless Network License II”).
Wireless Network License I provides coverage for products employing wireless multi-hop network protocols of any kind.
Wireless Network License II is limited only to products that use one or more of the following four wireless multi-hop protocols: (a) ZigBee; (b) Z-Wave; (c) RF4CE or (d) 6LoWPAN in the field of home automation (including small commercial/office).
Q: Who signs the Licenses?
A: A company offering branded or other end products incorporating wireless multi-hop protocols other than (a) ZigBee; (b) Z-Wave; (c) RF4CE or (d) 6LoWPAN in the field of home automation (including small commercial/office as described) would sign Wireless Network License I. A company offering branded or other end products incorporating only the following wireless multi-hop protocols (a) ZigBee; (b) Z-Wave; (c) RF4CE or (d) 6LoWPAN in the field of home automation (including small commercial/office) would sign Wireless Network License II. A company offering both types of products would sign both License agreements. If a company enters both agreements, any royalties paid under Wireless Network License II will offset the royalties it would owe for the same products under Wireless Network License I.
Q: Who has taken a license?
A: Click here.
Q: What is the current term of the Wireless Network Licenses?
A: The initial term runs through December 31, 2019. |