QPX TLS - ASX Company Announcement $tel4 THIS IS A PRIORITY ITEM 21 May 2002 Part 1/1 -------- QPSX LIMITED ------------
HOMEX - Perth ------------------------- Media Release Partners with Telstra on Intellectual Property
Leading technology commercialisation company QPSX Ltd (ASX: QPX) today announced a new partnering arrangement with Telstra that provides QPSX with the licensing rights to parts of Telstra's research patent portfolio.
The agreement with Telstra's research and development group, Telstra New Wave Pty Ltd (TNW), grants QPSX the licensing rights to a portfolio covering 3 technologies, including 19 patents in 10 countries. Additional pending patent applications relating to other technologies will be added to the portfolio as they are granted.
"Outsourcing of patent portfolio licensing by corporations such as Telstra and other research institutions is common practice internationally. QPSX is the market leader in assisting holders of intellectual property rights (IPR) realise maximum value from their portfolios and represents the emergence of a new asset class in this region," William Holden, QPSX Commercialisation Manager, said.
QPSX and Telstra will share the proceeds of license revenues generated from licensing the technologies.
"QPSX is well placed to advance Telstra's commercial licensing capability. Our track record in generating millions of dollars in license royalties speaks for itself," Mr Holden said.
The worldwide market for licensing Intellectual Property (IP) represented some US$150 billion last year and is forecast to grow at more than 30 per cent annually over the next five years.
He said much of the investments which companies have made in research are lying dormant or being used exclusively for defensive purposes, rather than for generating new revenues. This highlighted the strategic outsourcing opportunity that QPSX is addressing by partnering with Telstra.
"In today's environment where companies have cut costs to the bone, intellectual property represents the single largest opportunity to generate bottom line profits," Mr Holden said. "IP commercialisation is the hidden treasure just waiting to be discovered in every company and research institution that invests in research and development," he added.
Telstra is leading the way in transforming IP strategy for the Asia Pacific region, as companies realise the value of their IP asset base and seek to create new value through licensing.
TNW General Manager, Chris Rowles, said "the decision to partner with QPSX is a reflection of Telstra's determination to secure maximum value for our investment in technology development. With QPSX's impressive record in IP management, we're confident that QPSX will be able to progress commercial licensing opportunities for these patents with new and existing technology users from around the world."
The Telstra partnership adds to the significant IP portfolio that has already been assembled by QPSX. The portfolio includes the company's 'Segmentation and Reassembly' (SAR) technology for which a licensing program was initiated last year in Europe. After securing an early global license deal with Ericsson, QPSX continues its negotiations with leading European users of the SAR technology, including major telecommunications vendors.
"We are very pleased to be partnering with Telstra, with its impressive team, reputation and rich portfolio of technologies," Mr Holden said. "Companies like Telstra are increasingly seeking to exploit the revenue generating benefits that IP provides, beyond viewing IP as purely a defensive asset."
QPSX
QPSX's focus is the profitable commercialisation of a range of technologies on a global basis. QPSX works with research institutions and companies across the Asia Pacific to capture value in such technologies. This value is realised by QPSX's licensees and commercial partners through products that shape the future within their global markets.
TELSTRA NEW WAVE
Telstra New Wave (TNW) Pty Ltd is the commercialisation arm of Telstra Research Laboratories. It aims to bridge the gap between an R&D prototype that proves the technology and a commercially supported, market ready product. TNW also looks for opportunities to develop new business opportunities for Telstra, leveraging the technical expertise of Telstra's research program and Telstra's business.