5.9 GHz C-V2X Use Needs Patent Protections: Auto Supplier

Limiting use of the 5.9 GHz band to cellular vehicle-to-everything use must make sure supply chain participants have fair and nondiscriminatory access to licenses for C-V2X technology to ensure competition, Continental Automotive Systems representatives told FCC Office of Engineering and Technology, Office of General Counsel and Office of Economics and Analytics staffers, said a docket 19-138 post Tuesday. The company said some C-V2X standard essential patent holders refuse to license auto industry participants such as it, or only on unreasonable and discriminatory terms. It said the agency should acknowledge such a decision puts big market power in the hands of C-V2X patent holders and require that such licenses be available to any auto supply chain participant seeking one on reasonable, nondiscriminatory terms. Continental said if there are patent disputes, the commission should ensure U.S. courts have jurisdiction to address whether license terms are reasonable and nondiscriminatory and include with its rulemaking a general policy statement that it would be contrary to the public interest if C-V2X patent holders refuse licenses to some market participants.