South OC Times

Congressman Darrell Issa, Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, conducted a hearing to examine the role of standard essential patents (SEPs) in U.S. competition with China. This session is part of an ongoing series focused on strategic competition with China.

The discussion centered on how American businesses and innovators are affected by SEP policies and licensing practices in China. The hearing highlighted China's misuse of courts and technical processes, including manipulation at standard-setting organizations (SSOs), which allegedly undermines U.S. technological leadership.

"Today’s hearing was another chapter in the work we have done to examine and explain how the PRC manipulates global IP systems to gain an unfair advantage over the inventors and creators in America who follow the law and play by the rules," stated Rep. Issa. "For years, the PRC has weaponized the standard-setting process and licensing practices to favor its own technologies and sideline American inventors."

Witnesses included Walter Copan from Colorado School of Mines, Kent Baker from u-blox America, Inc., Thomas Cotter from University of Minnesota Law School, and Mark Cohen from George Mason University.