Context: In 2019, four years before its merger with Via Licensing, MPEG LA launched its EV Charging patent pool, providing one-stop access to technologies underlying worldwide standards for conductive AC and DC charging (May 29, 2019 Via LA press release). The pool initially launched with GE Hybrid Technologies (now Dolby), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Robert Bosch and Siemens onboard as licensors. The electric vehicle (EV) charging market has since seen significant growth and, in December 2023, pool administrator Avanci also launched an EV charger patent programme – although that one consists of wireless (cellular) standard-essential patents that facilitate communication between charger stations and backend services so there is no need for a fixed line to the charger (on the other hand, Via LA’s involves patents related to the communication over the charging cable for the purpose of managing the charging process). Avanci’s programme, which now boasts 47 licensors, signed up nine licensees in its first 12-14 months (November 28, 2024 ip fray article), including Japanese manufacturers Nitto Kogyo Corporation and Toyota.
What’s new: Via Licensing Alliance today announced a strategic partnership with ULDAGE, a Japanese patent pool administrator that mainly focuses on digital broadcasting and emerging sectors (like EV charging), to help expand Via LA’s EV Charging patent pool in Japan. The partnership will aim to attract licensors, automotive manufacturers, and technology implementers. In an interview with ip fray, Via LA’s vice president of program management Willy Chang pointed to China’s “sheer scale and speed of EV deployment” but noted that Japan is planning significant growth to enhance its EV charging capabilities. By 2035, the country is aiming for 100% electric vehicles in new light-duty vehicle sales (Japan METI Green Growth Strategy).
Direct impact: The partnership underscores Via LA’s continued efforts to expand in Asia over the past few years. As noted by Mr. Chang in an earlier interview, China, Japan and South Korea may be Via LA’s “strongest geographies” (December 10, 2024 ip fray article).
Wider ramifications: Via LA’s recent focus on Japan highlights the growing importance of Japanese EV charger SEP holders in the overall ecosystem. It will be interesting to see how the market plays out as competition in this region intensifies.
Founded in 2006, Tokyo-based ULDAGE is a patent pool administrator that specializes in digital broadcasting and emerging sectors like EV charging. Its portfolios consist of patents owned by several major SEP owners, including JVCKENWOOD, Maxell, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba.
Via LA’s EV Charging programme boasts eight licensors. After launching with GE Hybrid Technologies (now Dolby), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Robert Bosch and Siemens onboard, it now also licenses patents owned by LG Energy Solution, Ltd., LG Innotek Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and Sun Patent Trust. There are currently five licensees signed up but their identities remain confidential.
The pool is structured according to the component type (i.e. charging station or electric vehicle), standard class, and charging method. Royalty rates therefore range from anywhere between $5 and $40 per unit.
There are two technologies at the heart of the programme:
- Conductive AC charging: the most common method for charging EVs at home, workplaces, and public charging stations. It involves transferring electrical energy from the power grid to the vehicle’s onboard charger through a physical connection. The onboard charger then converts the AC power to DC before storing it in the vehicle’s battery. AC chargers are slower than DC chargers but more cost-effective and accessible, as most residential and commercial electrical systems are designed to provide AC power.
- Conductive DC charging: often referred to as fast or rapid charging, this directly supplies DC power to an EV’s battery without requiring the vehicle’s onboard charger to perform conversion. This allows for much higher power delivery, typically ranging from 50 kW to over 350 kW, significantly reducing charging time. High-power DC chargers can add hundreds of kilometers of range in just 15-30 minutes but they are more expensive to install and operate due to their high-power requirements and complex infrastructure.
In a statement today, Via LA president Heath Hoglund said his company is “pleased” to be renewing its partnership with ULDAGE, “building on the success of [their] earlier collaboration on the MPEG-2 Systems program.”
Mr. Hoglund added:
“With Japan aiming for 100% electric vehicles in new light-duty vehicle sales by 2035, the country is playing a major role in the global EV transition. Significant licensing opportunities abound in the space, and ULDAGE’s strong network and expertise will be valuable in supporting our further engagement with the Japanese market.”
Meanwhile, ULDAGE CEO Shuichi Endo said:
“Since our inception in 2006, we’ve worked to resolve complex patent issues across multiple industries. With our strong network in Japan’s automotive and technology sectors, we’re well-positioned to support Via LA in creating a balanced and effective licensing environment for the rapidly evolving EV charging market.”
In conversation with ip fray, Via LA’s head of programs Willy Chang broke down the world’s strongest EV charging markets. China leads the global EV charging infrastructure with over 3.2 million public charging points as of July 2024, accounting for more than 85% of the world’s fast chargers and around 60% of slow chargers, he said.
Meanwhile, the EU was home to 560,000 publicly accessible charging points as of mid-2023 (a 50% year-on-year increase from 2022). “The EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation mandates public fast chargers every 60 km along main transport corridors, ensuring comprehensive coverage,” Mr. Chang noted.
And, in the U.S., there are currently 145,000 public charging points – with a significant portion located in California, New York, and Florida. There are compatibility challenges though, as the U.S. market features multiple standards, including CCS, Tesla’s NACS, and CHAdeMO. “Recent federal initiatives have aimed to expand the nationwide charging network, focusing on highway corridors and underserved areas,” Mr. Chang commented.
Compared with Europe and China, he believes Japan’s EV market has been slower to develop – partly due to the country’s strong hybrid vehicle market and dominance of traditional automakers. Japan has approximately 30,000 public charging stations, equating to roughly one charger per 4,000 EV users.
However, the Japanese government aims to expand this network to 300,000 public charging ports by 2030. And, Mr. Chang adds, Japanese automakers are also some of the largest holders of patents essential to the EV Charging standards and play an important role in the global adoption and patent licensing of this technology.