Video, like innovation, is in Nokia’s DNA. We’re a leader in the development of video technologies, including video compression technology that is vital for streaming High-Definition video. Nokia’s inventors have been heavily involved in the development of all market-adopted video codecs, from the H.264/Advanced Video Coding (AVC) standard in the early 2000s to the H.266/Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard completed in 2020. Each of these generations of codecs have halved the bitrate required compared to their predecessor without compromising picture quality.

On top of that, we also invented the technology that optimizes video content on a device screen when switching between portrait and landscape. Fast forwarding or rewinding a video by scrolling through it, while simultaneously displaying the current scene, was also invented by Nokia. As were many technologies that enable personalization of content recommendation.

And this is just scratching the surface. With over 30 years of research and innovation, Nokia’s multimedia assets include key technologies related to video processing, coding, storage, display, user interface, and much more. So far, our work in this area has earned five Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards.

This work continues today. For example, over the last year our researchers have made significant contributions to a new edition of the versatile supplemental enhancement information (VSEI) standard, which is intended to be used with H.265/HEVC and H.266/VVC video codecs, and to the explorations by the Joint Video Experts Team towards the next video coding standard, which is likely to be known as H.267. And last year we filed over 140 video-related patent applications, more than 50% related to the proposed H.267 core codec, with additional filings in areas such as the complementary standard VSEI (versatile supplemental enhancement information) and MPEG video standards.

A new license agreement with a video streaming platform

Videos streaming platforms and other companies have built whole business models on top of our innovation. And we continue to make progress with licensing the use of our video and multimedia inventions. Last year we signed our first agreements with two direct-to-consumer video streaming platforms. And already this year we have signed an agreement with a third direct-to-consumer video streaming platform. Unfortunately, we cannot share the names of these companies.

Patent pool rates are not comparable to Nokia rates

On the subject of licensing, the US International Trade Commission’s Administrative Law Judge Doris Johnson Hines rejected the argument that the RAND royalty for Nokia’s patents should be determined with reference to the MPEG LA patent pool rate, concluding that the patent pools likely do not possess comparably valuable technology, and that “patent pools often set sub-RAND rates to reduce their costs and drive down the pool founders’ production costs.” Here is the full extract:

“There was no evidence presented at the hearing that the patents that are part of the patent pools are valuable, such that their value equates to the value of Nokia's patents. Indeed, patent pools often set sub-RAND rates to reduce their costs and drive down the pool founders ' production costs. . . . They also attract weaker patents because licensees with stronger portfolios are more likely to want to engage in bilateral negotiations because they can get a higher price for their patents.”  (1379 ID at 104-05.)

Watch this space

So, lots going on in video at Nokia. Watch this space for more news in the coming months.