InterDigital, Inc. is a technology research and development company that provides wireless and video technologies for mobile devices, networks, and services worldwide. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on NASDAQ and is included in the S&P SmallCap 600. InterDigital had 2020 revenue of $359 million and a portfolio of about 32,000 U.S. and foreign issued patents and patent applications.

Corporate history

Key Dates:

Research areas

The company is primarily focused on advanced wireless (5G), video, and Internet of Things (IoT) research:

Patent holdings

According to the company, since 2012 it has been listed by third-party analysts within the top 3 patent holders for cellular wireless more often than any other company, with percentages ranging from 8–10% of patents deemed likely to be standards-essential. According to research by Wiseharbor Research, a technology IP research firm, InterDigital Technology Corp. and InterDigital Patent Holdings held 282 declared essential LTE patents and 155 declared essential LTE patents respectively. The report also shows other mobile SEP owner-licensors such as Ericsson (146 declared essential LTE patents), Qualcomm (350 declared essential LTE patents), Nokia (142 declared essential LTE patents) and Huawei (182 declared essential LTE patents).

Major licensees

In June 2014 Samsung and InterDigital entered into a patent license agreement that "resolves all pending litigation between the two companies". The agreement is cited at being worth just under $500million. William J. Merritt, president and CEO of InterDigital said in a statement: "We are very happy to have resolved the licensing dispute with Samsung on mutually agreeable terms. This agreement with Samsung shows how our longstanding patent licensing framework and process can lead to effective, productive discussions and eventual resolution on fair and reasonable terms". In September 2016, InterDigital signed a license agreement with Huawei, and the companies agreed to "a framework for discussions regarding joint research and development efforts." In December 2016, Apple and InterDigital entered into a multi-year license agreement.

Chief executive officer

Lawrence (Liren) Chen was appointed president and chief executive officer on April 5, 2021.

Locations

InterDigital is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, and has 13 offices (including 9 R&D facilities) in 8 countries around the world.