Access Advance Launches Exploration Phase for an AV1/AV2 Device and Software Patent Pool, Invites Participation of Potential Licensors

Access Advance LLC announced today that in conjunction with the recent release of the AV2 video codec specification, it has launched the exploratory phase for a new patent pool covering devices and software implementing the AV2 video codec, as well as its predecessor AV1. During this exploratory phase, Access Advance will engage with market participants to seek their input, including holding pool formation discussions with potential licensors to gather their feedback on the scope, structure, and terms of a prospective program. All patent owners with a good-faith belief that they own or control AV1 and/or AV2 essential patents are invited to participate in the pool formation discussions.

AV1 adoption is being driven largely by members of the Alliance for Open Media (“AOM”). AOM members such as Google, Meta, and Netflix increasingly utilize AV1 to deliver video, and adoption now spans smart TVs, streaming media players, mobile devices, web browsers, and chipsets. AV2, AOM’s successor to AV1, is expected to follow a similar path toward deployment, with encoder and decoder support building ahead of a wider rollout. As the footprint of both codecs broadens, Access Advance believes the market has a growing need for a transparent and efficient pool licensing solution for devices and software implementing the AV1 and AV2 specifications, consistent with the role of Access Advance’s HEVC and VVC patent pools.

That need is sharpened by a common misconception that AV1 and AV2 are “royalty-free”. But that characterization reflects only the royalty-free commitments made by AOM members. Many companies holding patents essential to AV1 or AV2 are not AOM members and have never made such a commitment. Device and software makers implementing these codecs therefore face infringement exposure to these companies’ patents. This dynamic is already playing out through litigations between patent owners and implementers in multiple jurisdictions.

“As adoption of AV1 accelerates, with AV2 adoption expected in the near future, device and software makers need a clear, centralized way to license patents held outside AOM's royalty-free commitments,” said Peter Moller, CEO of Access Advance. “We expect to have broad market participation from a wide range of licensors and are confident that any agreed pool structure will meet the needs of all market participants.”

Access Advance also anticipates that the licensors in the existing Video Distribution Patent (VDP) Pool will approve adding AV2 coverage to the VDP Pool license in 2027. The VDP Pool currently licenses the VP9, AV1, HEVC, and VVC codecs.

Interested parties can reach Access Advance at licensing@accessadvance.com.

About Access Advance:

Access Advance LLC is an independent licensing administrator company formed to lead the development, administration, and management of patent pools for licensing essential patents of the most important video codec technologies. Access Advance provides a transparent and efficient licensing mechanism for both patent owners and patent implementers.

Access Advance manages and administers the HEVC Advance Patent Pool for licensing over 30,000 patents essential to HEVC/H.265 technology and the VVC Advance Patent Pool for licensing over 6,200 patents essential to VVC/H.266 technology. The company's Multi-Codec Bridging Agreement provides eligible licensees with a single discounted royalty rate structure for licensees participating in both the HEVC Advance and VVC Advance pools. In addition, Access Advance offers the Video Distribution Patent Pool, a comprehensive licensing solution for video streaming services covering HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codecs. Access Advance has also acquired the administrator of Via LA’s HEVC/VVC patent pool, now named the VCL Advance (Video Codec Licensing) program. For more information, please visit: www.accessadvance.com.

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