You’ve had a long and impressive journey in the industry, could you share what inspired you to start Equiviti and what the company is currently focused on?
I have been in the patent licensing industry since the early 1990s, and, like every industry, it has evolved alongside the changing environmental conditions and advancing technology. I have had the privilege of experiencing these changes firsthand within the licensing space. As a result, my career has given me a unique perspective, having played every position available in the industry: aggressive licensor, litigator; defensive implementor; and creative intermediator. This diverse experience has shaped my vision for a new way forward in the industry.
When we founded Equiviti, our goal was to focus on creating custom licensing solutions that harness the positive aspects of licensing that I have encountered throughout my career. I believe Equiviti’s unique licensing formula addresses a critical gap in the marketplace allowing us to craft equitable licensing deals for both implementers and patent owners. Over the past year, our approach has proven successful, allowing us to close several significant deals involving some of the largest Silicon Valley and global tech companies in the world – all without involving litigation.
We have a very robust pipeline. By the end of this year, we’ll have closed licensing deals with more than 10 companies — some familiar faces, and some exciting new clients.
Could you tell us more about what makes Equiviti’s unique licensing formula distinctive and how is it resonating with the industry?
I think what makes Equiviti different is that we’re a true intermediary. We’re not associated with a pool or any patent owners or implementers — we listen to both sides, identify the business objectives, and structure deals that work for everyone. That neutrality is a significant asset. When we launched Equiviti last year, we didn’t know how the market would respond to our model, but honestly, the interest we’ve received has far exceeded our expectations. It is clear that people see the value in our approach and our independence.
By truly listening to what patent owners and implementers want, we’re able to create some unique solutions. Sometimes, this involves aggregating rights from multiple portfolios or including several licensees in a single deal. Other times, it means incorporating innovative structures like a springing license or utilising a catch-and-release model. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach in this space. These are just a few examples of how Equiviti is redefining licensing.
Equiviti is still in its early stages, having launched just a year ago – how do you demonstrate a strong track record and what gives clients confidence in your approach?
While Equiviti just launched last year, however, the core team — Brian Fahrenbach, Nick Lidji, and myself – have been working together for almost eight years. During this time, we have structured hundreds of custom licensing deals, generating more than a $1billion in licensing revenue for our customers. Additionally, we are proud that all three of us have been recognized by IAM 300 for our contributions to the industry.
Although we have largely flown under the radar over the last 8 years, we have achieved tremendous success. Recently, we’ve noticed a number of other companies attempting to replicate our custom licensing model as an alternative to traditional pools. This growing interest in tailored licensing reinforces the value of our model and services as strong validation of the impact we’re making in the industry.
What’s next for Equiviti?
We have a very robust pipeline. By the end of this year, we’ll have closed licensing deals with more than 10 companies — some familiar faces, and some exciting new clients. We’re also actively exploring new sectors and portfolios where we believe our model can deliver significant value, specifically, new types of SEPs as well as implementation patents.
More broadly, now that we’ve seen growing interest in the Equiviti model, we’re ready to step into the spotlight and be more public about what we do. It feels like the right time to open the door a little wider and share our approach with a broader audience.
Additionally, we’ve seen interest with the Equiviti model around the globe. To address this international demand, we are exploring partnerships in other regions of the world to help solidify our global footprint. This is an exciting development, and we hope to share more news in the coming months.