This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) related to key IEEE protocols that power wireless connectivity in the Internet of Things (IoT). Covering Wi-Fi (802.11), Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah), Bluetooth, Zigbee (802.15.4), Thread, and 6LoWPAN, our report explores foundational data that provides insights on SEP ownership, technology access, FRAND licensing, and the competitive dynamics in IoT.
IEEE SEPs
We begin with a detailed look at SEP declaration data sourced from Patentscope and Letters of Assurance (LOA) submitted to IEEE, identifying top patent holders and standard-specific declaration trends. Given the prevalence of negative LOAs, where patent holders decline to commit to licensing under FRAND terms, this data is critical to understanding potential risks in standard adoption.
IoT Standard Essential Patents: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee
SEP declaration data is often complex and incomplete, as shown by the prevalence of blanket declarations. To supplement our analysis, we go beyond declaration data, and provide a landscape of potentially essential patents. The Parola Analytics 2025 IoT SEP Report: IEEE Standards offers insights into:
- SEP declaration trends across key IEEE standards
- Patent filing activity over the past 15 years
- Global patent filing distribution
- Key enabling technologies in IEEE-backed IoT protocols
- Leading SEP holders and contributors
As low-power, short-range, wireless standards play an increasingly important role in IoT deployment, gaining a broader understanding of the SEP landscape remains crucial for strategic IP decisions, licensing negotiations, and overall IP strategy. This report is the second installment of our report on IoT SEPs. (See 2025 Parola Analytics IoT SEP Landscape Report: 3GPP).
