Home > Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) Understanding the patents behind global standards From connectivity and media compression to wireless power and smart devices, technical standards shape the technologies we rely on. Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) protect the innovations needed to implement these standards and play a central role in global innovation, licensing, and regulation. Explore Our SEP Solutions INTRODUCTION CHALLENGES SEP TECHNOLOGIES RESOURCES What Are SEPs and Why Do They Matter? A Standard Essential Patent (SEP) is a patent that protects an invention considered essential to implementing a particular technical standard. In practice, this means that products claiming compliance with the standard are likely to use the patented technology, and implementers would typically need to obtain a license—often under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms—from the SEP holder. SEPs typically relate to core features like wireless communication protocols, audio/video compression, or device interoperability. SEPs impact how technologies are: Developed and adopted across industries Licensed under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms Governed by standard-setting organizations (SSOs) and regulatory frameworks Litigated, pooled, and monetized in global IP strategies As more sectors adopt standards-driven technologies, SEPs are becoming increasingly important beyond telecom, influencing automotive, consumer electronics, industrial manufacturing, and more. Challenges in Working with SEPs Understanding and working with SEPs presents several ongoing challenges Over-declaration and under-declaration Declaration data is not independently verified, so some listed patents may not be essential, while differing practices, blanket declarations, and lack of public patent lists can leave potentially essential patents undeclared. Lack of data consistency SEP databases vary in accuracy, format, and completeness. Ownership ambiguity Licensing rights may belong to subsidiaries or change due to M&A activity. Evolving standards As technical standards update over time, patent relevance can shift. Distributed data Contributions, declarations, litigation, and licensing terms are tracked across separate sources. For professionals working in licensing, legal, standards, or IP strategy, addressing these challenges is essential for accurate portfolio decisions and fair negotiations. Technology Areas Where SEPs Are Common SEPs are declared across a wide range of standardized technologies. Some of the most active domains include: Wi-Fi technologies (Wi-Fi 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) Cellular networks (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and bridging) Cellular IoT protocols (NB-IoT, LTE-M, LTE-Cat 1, V2X) Qi(1.3, 2,0) wireless charging Video compression standards (AVC, HEVC, VVC, AV1 and VP9) Audio compression standards (AAC, OPUS, MPEG-H) Cellular audio codecs (EVS, IVAS) These technologies are widely adopted across industries and are subject to ongoing standardization and SEP declaration. Understanding who holds the relevant rights, and how those patents relate to specific standards, is critical for IP, licensing, and strategy teams How LexisNexis® IPlytics™ Supports SEP Analysis We understand the complexity of working with SEPs from evolving standards and ownership changes to licensing risks and litigation exposure. IPlytics provides access to essential SEP insights that help IP professionals make informed, data-led decisions across industries. Visit the IPlytics product page to learn how our platform helps analyze, compare, and interpret SEP data. “Our industry has long faced challenges with gaps, redundancies, and errors in patent declaration data, which can lead to inefficiencies in licensing and disputes. Our collaborative work with LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions on the Cellular Verified initiative has significantly strengthened the accuracy of patent declaration data for all stakeholders. This initiative provides clarity to the market and enables us to focus on innovation and strategic growth with greater confidence. It’s a testament to the power of industry partnerships in driving meaningful progress and innovation forward.” Alan Fan Vice President and Head of IPR DepartmentHuawei “A lot of the IPlytics SEP data helps licensors and licensees figure it out. It gives us a starting point. IPlytics is not playing sides here its a source of truth to objectively understand the share of patents that relate to a particular standard and who owns what. Jeremiah Chan Director and Associate General CounselMeta Meta Global Standards Leadership Conference Standards Are Strategy: Global Insights from the 2025 Conference Explore key takeaways from the Global Standards Leadership Conference, where experts unpacked the evolving role of SEPs in innovation, licensing, and policy. Get the key takeaways and recordings Go Beyond the Basics: Reports and Expert Perspectives Understanding the Cellular IoT Patent Landscape LEARN MORE Who Is Leading the 5G Patent Race? LEARN MORE Who is Leading the Qi Standard Patent Race LEARN MORE Who is Leading the Wi-Fi 6 Patent Race LEARN MORE Who Is Leading the Audio Codec Patent Race LEARN MORE Who is Leading the VVC Patent Race LEARN MORE Cellular Verified: Setting New Standards in Patent Data Accuracy LEARN MORE The Semantic Essentiality Score: Determining Patent Essentiality LEARN MORE Empowering SEP Analysts With Insights Using the Ultimate Owner Concept LEARN MORE The SEP Couch Podcast LEARN MORE Ready to Go Deeper? If you’re navigating SEP licensing, litigation, or portfolio strategy, our experts can help you turn complexity into confident decisions.
