Technical standards that ensure device interconnectivity and
interoperability cover myriad products in the information and
computer technology (ICT) space, from smartphones and tablets, to
memory devices and cables. Standards are ubiquitous. Among other
things, they allow the world's more than 8 billion mobile
devices to communicate with each other and ensure users can access
and operate the world's more than 2 billion computers.
Standard setting organizations, which promulgate technical
standards, often require owners of patents covering portions of a
standard, called standard essential patents (SEPs), to commit to
license their patents on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory
(FRAND) terms.