Japan draws up road map for avoiding connected-car patent disputes

Guidelines aim to dispel confusion over rights to cross-industry tech

Honda Motor and other Japanese automakers have been hit with demands from 48 telecommunications hardware developers to pay patent fees for connected-car components. © Reuters

TENSEI TANI, Nikkei staff writer

March 31, 2022 06:05 JST

TOKYO -- The Japanese government will soon give companies direction on steering clear of a major risk to developing connected cars: patent lawsuits.

Thursday's new guidelines by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will lay out a four-step process for businesses to negotiate "standard essential patent" (SEP) fees.