Patent Pool in the Automotive Industry

Realisation of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies requires technological inputs from various dissimilar technology sectors. Patenting of such technologies has created a technological barrier for the development of new technologies of IoT. This scenario has created a complex licensing landscape itself, which had already led to the sprouting of multiple issues and problems of varying degrees in various sectors of industries. Patent pools is said to be a one stop solution for these issues, only if it is carried out in a fair and non- discriminatory manner, for every single seekers of the technology. As one of the early adopters of internet of things, the automotive industry, for the development of autonomous vehicles, is a relevant industry sector choice to have a study on how far the use of multiple dissimilar technologies of dissimilar industry sectors creates problems in the development of IoT technologies, when patent system allows the patentee to restrict the use of a patented technology by others. In this paper, we shall discuss the technology requirements of automotive sector for the development of internet of automobiles (IoA) by developing and facilitating autonomous vehicles. We look into the shift the industry faces when moving from a traditional patent licensing terms within the industry to complex licensing mechanisms that has to be done with other industry sectors. How effective is patent pool mechanisms and the current working of it is important to look upon.