Wi-LAN Signs V-chip Licenses with Tatung and Hon Hai
(Business News & Technology News, 30 Jan 2008)
Wi-LAN Inc. has signed a license agreement for its U.S. and Canadian V-chip Patents with Tatung Co., and a license agreement for its U.S V-chip Patent with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd (Hon Hai). These agreements provide for the payment of running royalties for the lives of the Patents and include provisions for payment in respect of past sales.
Tatung designs and manufactures a vast array of digital consumer products, including consumer PCs, LCD TVs, network-connected devices, storage-based media players, videophones and home appliances. Tatung also delivers advanced products for business computing, such as Tablet PCs, blade servers and wireless thin clients.
Hon Hai, which goes by the trade name Foxconn, is the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer. Hon Hai manufacturers a variety of computer, consumer electronics and communication products for major brand name customers around the world.
"Tatung, a well known brand, and Hon Hai are very welcome additions to our V-chip licensee family," said Najmul Siddiqui, President, Wi-LAN V-chip Corp. "With large manufacturing capabilities in China, Hon Hai has become China's largest exporter. These license agreements could have significant future potential for Wi-LAN."
"These license agreements are the latest examples of the solid progress that our V-chip licensing team has made in 2008," said Jim Skippen, President and CEO, Wi-LAN. "As discussions with various manufacturers continue, we expect to sign a number of wireless and V-chip license agreements in the coming months."
About 126 licenses for Wi-LAN's Canadian or U.S. V-chip Patents have been signed with electronics manufacturers in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Denmark, Canada and the United States.