Via Joins the Initiative in Support of SEP Data Transparency

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (June 25, 2026) – Via Licensing Alliance (Via) today announced that it is partnering with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on its initiative to feature standard essential patent (SEP) data in its global PATENTSCOPE database. As one of the first collaborative licensing organizations to contribute patent pool-verified SEP data to the initiative, Via is supporting greater transparency in the SEP ecosystem by making available data from a substantial number of SEPs associated with its licensing programs for inclusion in PATENTSCOPE.PATENTSCOPE is a database that promotes transparency around patent information globally by allowing users to find information on international patent applications, as well as patents and published patent applications in over 80 countries, accurately translating them into 18 languages using artificial intelligence.

“One of the major value-adds of patent pools to the licensing ecosystem is to provide transparency around the pricing of patent rights,” said Kevin Mack, President of Via Licensing Alliance. “WIPO’s efforts to create greater transparency for the IP licensing ecosystem through PATENTSCOPE are fully aligned with Via’s mission, so joining this important effort was an easy decision.”

“The success of WIPO’s SEP-related initiatives relies on the partnerships we build with key stakeholders. In this complex area, collaboration is central to achieving meaningful progress,” said Andras Jokuti, Director of WIPO’s Patent and Technology Law Division. “Via’s participation in this project is a welcome contribution to the SEP search feature of PATENTSCOPE.”

PATENTSCOPE has built on the “Declared SEPs” feature launched in 2025, which enables users to identify patents declared essential to standards developed by selected standard-setting organizations. The PATENTSCOPE database has now advanced further by incorporating data on patents, the essentiality of which was verified through the patent pool administrator’s mechanisms directly, alongside the patent records within the database.

By embedding such pool-verified essentiality information into PATENTSCOPE, WIPO is responding to increasing calls for enhanced transparency in the SEP landscape, particularly at a time when standards and complex technologies are evolving at a rapid pace.

Via’s licensing programs depend on independent third-party experts to evaluate patent essentiality, and the inclusion of this data in PATENTSCOPE greatly enhances its accessibility and practical value for stakeholders around the world.

Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) form the foundation of many of today’s most widely used technologies, including audio and video streaming, wireless charging, and semiconductors. As technological ecosystems grow more sophisticated, the need for transparent, dependable, and easily accessible SEP-related information is becoming ever more important for policymakers, patent authorities, innovators, and technology implementers alike.

About Via Licensing Alliance

Via Licensing Alliance is the collaborative licensing leader, dedicated to accelerating global technology adoption, fostering participation, and generating return on innovation with balanced licensing solutions for innovators and manufacturers of all sizes around the globe. Via has operated dozens of licensing programs for a variety of technologies. Via is an independently managed company owned by industry-leading participants with over 25 years of intellectual property licensing leadership. For more information about Via, please visit www.Via-LA.com.

About WIPO

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the United Nations agency that serves the world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere.

It does so by providing services that enable creators, innovators and entrepreneurs to protect and promote their intellectual property (IP) across borders and acting as a forum for addressing cutting-edge IP issues. The IP data provided by WIPO guide decision-makers all over the world, while impact-driven projects and technical assistance ensure that IP benefits everyone, everywhere.

For more information, please contact the News and Media Division at WIPO:

• Tel: (+41 22) 338 81 61 / 338 72 24
• E-mail

Contact:
Via Licensing Alliance
Raleigh Hogan-Miller
Press@Via-LA.com

Contact:
WIPO
Sandrine Ammann
sandrine.ammann@wipo.int

The post Via Licensing Alliance Joins World Intellectual Property Organization’s PATENTSCOPE Initiative appeared first on Via Licensing Alliance.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (June 15, 2026) – Via Licensing Alliance (Via) today announced that it has hired Patrick Zhang as the company’s new Vice President of Licensing and Commercial Strategy. This newly created role at Via further bolsters the senior team, adding over two decades of expertise in IP litigation and licensing to the organization. In his new role, Zhang will bridge the licensing and new programs functions at Via, with a focus on expanding the company’s strategic partnerships accelerating its licensing deal flow. He will also contribute to new program growth and strategy.

“Via has always placed a strong emphasis on hiring top talent with extensive experience and relationships in the IP space,” said Kevin Mack, President of Via. “Patrick’s background, energy and expertise are an ideal fit as we continue to grow our senior team and build our momentum. We look forward to working with Patrick and leveraging his ability to consistently generate value for licensors and licensees.”

Zhang brings more than 20 years of experience spanning technology licensing, intellectual property strategy, litigation, and commercial negotiations. He has held IP litigation roles at leading global law firms such as Morrison & Foerster and Ropes & Gray, and he has also served as senior in-house counsel, overseeing IP licensing, strategy and enforcement for IP innovators and technology companies including Atlassian, Technicolor and TiVo.

 Among his notable accomplishments, Zhang served on the courtroom trial team for the landmark Apple v. Samsung smartphone litigation and has built and led sophisticated licensing and intellectual property functions for global technology organizations. More recently, he has counseled companies on AI model use and training risks amid evolving litigation and regulatory developments.

“I am very excited to join the great team at Via and look forward to working closely with Via leadership to grow our partnerships and present the balanced value proposition of a pool IP license to our customers.  It is an incredibly exciting time for technology innovation and an equally important time for intellectual property and licensing.  I look forward to bringing a balanced perspective from having sat on both sides of the negotiating table to create trust and unlock solutions.”

Zhang will be based in Via’s San Francisco office. He earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Cornell University and a law degree from Fordham University School of Law.  He is admitted to the bar in New York and California and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

About Via Licensing Alliance:

Via Licensing Alliance is the collaborative licensing leader, dedicated to accelerating global technology adoption, fostering participation, and generating return on innovation with balanced licensing solutions for innovators and manufacturers of all sizes around the globe. Via has operated dozens of licensing programs for a variety of technologies. Via is an independently managed company owned by industry-leading participants with over 25 years of intellectual property licensing leadership. For more information about Via, please visit https://www.via-la.com.

Contact:
Via Licensing Alliance
Raleigh Hogan-Miller
Press@Via-LA.com

The post Via Licensing Alliance Appoints Patrick Zhang as Vice President of Licensing and Commercial Strategy appeared first on Via Licensing Alliance.