Context: Just two days ago, we reported that Erich Spangenberg, who recently returned to the patent monetization business (December 4, 2024 ip fray article), acquired a portfolio of cloud computing, virtual networking and internet protocol address management patents from Finland’s FusionLayer, Inc. (April 22, 2025 ip fray article). Upon returning to the field, Mr. Spangenberg noted that the Unified Patent Court (UPC) would be a major priority jurisdiction for his new business, and SIM IP has since also acquired a haptics and extended reality (XR) patent portfolio worth hundreds of millions of dollars from Ultraleap (February 5, 2025 ip fray article).
What’s new: SIM IP today announced it has inked a deal with U.S.-based Strong Force Innovation Portfolios, which will allow for the development, sale, and licensing of several of the latter’s European patents. The companies will work together to build up their patent portfolio in Europe, and SIM IP will then be able to monetize those assets under a revenue-sharing arrangement with Strong Force.
Direct impact: The “strategic relationship” is expected to expand into other technologies and additional assets, the companies have stated. The move is very much in line with Mr. Spangenberg’s UPC focus, given that the patents in question are all European.
Wider ramifications: The announcement also makes it evident that the companies will not just be working together to grow the portfolio, but to increase each other’s patent monetization capabilities. Mr. Spangenberg, who has, over time, gained a reputation for not shying away from enforcement (once he was even dubbed “America’s most notorious patent troll” (July 13, 2013 New York Times article)) is currently in the process of getting SIM IP to go public on NASDAQ, using a vehicle named Spectral AI. This string of acquisitions and licensing deals, including one involving “key 5G patents” from a South Korean university (November 2024 SIM IP LinkedIn post), will play a key role in how that IPO unfolds. Last month, we revealed 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).
Strong Force currently owns over 1,000 patents – all of which focus on AI-driven business applications across multiple sectors, including industrial technology, financial infrastructure, transportation, supply and demand chain, hospitality, media, health, and energy.
Charles Cella, managing director and co-founder of Strong Force, said today that the company is “excited” to begin leveraging its technology innovations with a recognized leader in global IP monetization. He added:
“Strong Force will continue pursuing strategic opportunities with companies seeking market leadership in the rapidly emerging business application layer of AI, while also exploring additional monetization opportunities with SIM IP.”
Mr. Spangenberg said his company is “grateful” for the opportunity to work with Mr. Cella, Richard A. Spitz, Adam Klotz, and the rest of the team at Strong Force, and anticipates that revenue from this project will start coming in as soon as late 2025.
“With the results and outcomes I’m confident that my team will deliver, we look forward to deepening this relationship with Strong Force,” he added.