InterDigital Expands Convida Wireless Research Scope With Sony and Enters Into Patent License Agreement

InterDigital, Inc.

today announced it is expanding the research scope of its Convida Wireless joint venture with Sony Corporation of America

to include 5G technologies. The company also announced that this agreement includes a patent license from InterDigital. Convida Wireless was launched in 2013 as a joint venture to combine Sony's consumer electronics expertise with InterDigital's pioneering Internet of Things (IoT) expertise to drive new research in IoT communications and other connectivity areas. With this agreement, Convida Wireless' focus will also extend to key 5G technologies. Joining Sony and InterDigital as partners in Convida Wireless is Stephens Capital Partners LLC, the principal investing affiliate of Stephens Inc., a full service investment banking firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. "The Convida Wireless joint venture has been a success for both Sony and InterDigital, and we're very pleased to expand its focus to include technologies that will form the backbone of future technologies," said Toshimoto Mitomo, Executive Vice President, Intellectual Property, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Sony Corporation of America. "5G and IoT are the twin thrusts of InterDigital's research focus, and we're pleased to contribute this capability to Convida Wireless through the expansion of its scope," said William J. Merritt, President and CEO of InterDigital. "Sony has been an ideal partner, and this joint venture is a great example of how research can form the foundation for a strong, collaborative relationship." InterDigital is a recognized world leader in 5G research, with its InterDigital Europe unit holding key positions in the European Commission's socioeconomic research on 5G rollout as well as the XHAUL, POINT (iP Over IcN the betTer IP) and RIFE (aRchitecture for an Internet For Everybody) projects. Moreover, the company's InterDigital Asia unit in Seoul, South Korea recently joined the important Korea-based 5G Forum.