Context: Last December, Erich Spangenberg returned to the patent monetization business (December 4, 2024 ip fray article), signalling that the Unified Patent Court (UPC) would be a major priority jurisdiction for his new company, SIM IP. Since then, several major IP transactions involving his company have become public, including the acquisition of Ultraleap’s haptics and extended reality (XR) patent portfolio worth hundreds of millions of dollars (February 5, 2025 ip fray article). It was after that announcement that we discovered that SIM IP was also in the process of going public on NASDAQ, using a vehicle named Spectral AI. Last month, ip fray reported that one of SIM IP’s shareholders is Donald Trump Jr., the businessman and elder son of the President of the United States (March 20, 2025 ip fray article).
What’s new: SIM IP has today announced the successful completion of a patent acquisition from FusionLayer, Inc., a pioneering network technology company based in Finland. This agreement grants SIM IP full ownership and control of FusionLayer’s cloud computing, virtual networking and internet protocol address management patent portfolio.
Direct impact: Today’s deal further strengthens Mr. Spangenberg and SIM IP’s positions in the international patent monetization market at a time when the company’s stock should soon be publicly traded.
Wider ramifications: The company will also immediately implement a “transparent and equitable” voluntary licensing program, offering “broad, cost-effective licenses” to potential licensees, SIM IP has announced. The company has noted that “should these collaborative efforts not yield desired results”, SIM IP will strategically transition to pursuing “more focused” licensing efforts.
SIM IP’s first notable, public transaction was its acquisition of “key 5G patents” from a South Korean university (November 2024 SIM IP LinkedIn post).
The company’s managing director Jennifer Burdman said today that SIM IP is “delighted” to finalize the agreement with FusionLayer, which is a statement to the “significant innovation emanating from Finland.” She added:
“This portfolio acquisition is a key component of our strategy to acquire, strategically manage, and maximize the value of high-potential IP assets. Our dedicated team is focused on realizing the full commercial potential of these assets through proactive licensing initiatives, strategic enforcement where necessary, and collaborative partnerships.”
Mr. Spangenberg noted that Mrs. Burdman will spearhead the voluntary licensing program, providing an accessible pathway for companies seeking to adopt this technology without the need for alternative measures. He further stated:
“Should this initial phase not achieve broad adoption, our strategic licensing group, under my leadership, will implement more targeted licensing strategies to ensure appropriate value realization for these crucial IP assets.”
Mr. Spangenberg has long held a reputation for not shying away from enforcement. He was once even dubbed “America’s most notorious patent troll” (July 13, 2013 New York Times article).
Also in a statement today, FusionLayer’s CEO and co-founder Juha Holkkola said:
“We are confident that SIM IP possesses the specialized expertise and extensive market reach necessary to fully unlock the potential of these patents. This strategic partnership allows FusionLayer to concentrate on our core research and development efforts while ensuring our intellectual property continues to generate meaningful impact.”