Context: With the rapid rise of AI and continued growth in technology, semiconductor technologies are now one of the most important places to focus on accelerating pathways for further growth, collaboration and innovation. Semiconductor companies have seen soaring revenues and valuations (including Nvidia, which reported a revenue of $46.7 billion in its Q2 report, up 6% from Q1 and up 56% from the previous year: August 27, 2025 Nvidia press release). Patent filing data further supports this trajectory: global semiconductor filings rose 22% year-on-year between 2023 and 2024 (October 22, 2024 Mathys & Squire report).
What’s new: During its annual Bridge Summit (August 29, 2025 ip fray article) in San Francisco today, Via Licensing Alliance (Via LA) announced plans to launch several patent licensing programs that focus on semiconductor technologies. The first of these pools will focus on licensing memory patents.
Direct impact and wider ramifications: This is a first in the industry, which has been the subject of litigation and disputes over the years, particularly as inventors have searched for ways to dispose of their assets. Some recent cases include Netflix v. Broadcom (which was settled last week), Advanced Memory Technologies LLC v. SK Hynix (January 10, 2025 ip fray article), and Total Semiconductor v. Texas Instruments (September 21, 2025 ip fray article). The company believes it can reduce future friction in this space, aiming to bridge the gap between licensors and licensees in a fair and reasonable manner for both sides. It is no doubt a strong business opportunity for Via, but it could also help accelerate the semiconductor space even further.
In a statement today, Via LA President Heath Hoglund said the plan was to form additional pools that will cover other aspects of semiconductor licensing soon:
“With the growing demand in this space spurred in particular by the rapid adoption of AI, semiconductor technologies are now one of the single most important places we can lend our focus to accelerate further growth, collaboration and innovation. We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to take the lead in pushing semiconductor technology forward from a patent licensing perspective, and we look forward to sharing more updates as we formalize these pool offerings.”
Also in a statement today, Via LA’s head of programs Willy Chang said his years of experience in the semiconductor industry have helped him see the strong potential for the new pool. The semiconductor industry has seen “soaring valuations” because of the AI boom, he noted, adding:
“This new pool offering not only represents a strong business opportunity for Via; it is also an attempt to streamline semiconductor licensing to alleviate the growing patent thicket to everyone’s benefit.”