Patent pool

In patent law, a patent pool is a consortium of at least two companies agreeing to cross-license patents relating to a particular technology. The creation of a patent pool can save patentees and licensees time and money, and, in case of blocking patents, it may also be the only reasonable method for making the invention available to the public.^[1] Competition law issues are usually important when a large consortium is formed.

^ "The pooling of the patents, licensing all patents in the pool collectively, and sharing royalties is not necessarily an antitrust violation. In a case involving blocking patents such an arrangement is the only reasonable method for making the invention available to the public." - International Mfg. Co. v. Landon, 336 F.2d 723, 729 (9th Cir. 1964)

[1] "The pooling of the patents, licensing all patents in the pool collectively, and sharing royalties is not necessarily an antitrust violation. In a case involving blocking patents such an arrangement is the only reasonable method for making the invention available to the public." - International Mfg. Co. v. Landon, 336 F.2d 723, 729 (9th Cir. 1964)

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