OTTAWA, Jan. 4, 2018 /CNW/ - Wi-LAN Inc. ("WiLAN"), a
Quarterhill Inc.("Quarterhill") company (TSX: QTRH) (NASDAQ: QTRH),
announced today that it has entered into a new seven‑year
intellectual property framework agreement with Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Company, Ltd. ("TSMC"), the world's leading
semiconductor foundry.
The new framework agreement grants TSMC certain rights under
semiconductor process technology patents currently owned by
WiLAN. The agreement also establishes an annual subscription
basis for TSMC to obtain rights to certain future semiconductor
process technology patents acquired by WiLAN. The framework
further includes patent assignments to TSMC based on a mutually
agreed selection process.
Michael Vladescu, Chief Operating
Officer for WiLAN commented, "This is a new type of transaction for
WiLAN which is not only structured based on portfolios we own today
but also includes a framework for future acquired portfolios.
We hope this represents a mutually beneficial way to handle the
business of patent licensing which we can apply in other
situations."
This agreement is separate from the agreement announced by WiLAN
on April 1, 2016 regarding the
Polaris Innovations Limited portfolio, which remains in place.
All other terms of the agreement are confidential.
About WiLAN
WiLAN, a Quarterhill company, is one of the most successful
patent licensing companies in the world and helps companies unlock
the value of intellectual property by managing and licensing their
patent portfolios. The company operates in a variety of
markets including automotive, digital television, Internet,
medical, semiconductor and wireless communication
technologies. For more information: www.wilan.com.
About Quarterhill
Quarterhill is a diversified investment holding company focused
on growing its business by acquiring technology companies in the
Industrial Internet of Things segment across multiple verticals.
Quarterhill targets companies with a broad range of products and
services that capture, analyze and interpret data, and that have
strong financial performance, excellent management teams, strong
intellectual property underpinnings and significant opportunities
to develop long-term recurring and growing revenue streams.
For more information: www.quarterhill.com.
Forward-looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other United States and Canadian securities laws.
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are
based on estimates and assumptions made by Quarterhill in light of
its experience and its perception of historical trends, current
conditions, expected future developments and the expected effects
of new business strategies, as well as other factors that
Quarterhill believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many
factors could cause Quarterhill's actual performance or
achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information.
Such factors include, without limitation, the risks described in
its February 10, 2017 annual
information form for the year ended December
31, 2016 (the "AIF") and its November
9, 2017 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations for the 3 and 9 months ended
September 30, 2017 and 2016 (the "Q3
MD&A"). Copies of the AIF and the Q3 MD&A may be
obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov. Quarterhill recommends
that readers review and consider all of these risk factors and
notes that readers should not place undue reliance on any of
Quarterhill's forward-looking statements. Quarterhill has no
intention, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any
forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except
as required by law.
All trademarks and brands mentioned in this release are the
property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Wi-LAN Inc.