March 2025 Patent Transactions: Triggering the Next Licensing in Your Industry

Patent activity in early March points to a wave of strategic moves that could shape the future of the automotive, ICT, and wireless communication sectors. This article delves into the major patent transactions of the first half of March 2025, highlighting the key players and technologies that are reshaping industry dynamics, and identifies the sectors that should be on high alert.

Industry leaders are making moves that could disrupt the market faster than you anticipate. A patent deal today could be the foundation for litigation tomorrow.

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Key Insights from the March 1-15 transactions

• New Licensing Entity Watch: Dominion Harbor launched Bunker Hill Technologies, acquiring 10 V2X patents from Shanghai Langbo—potential early indicators of future enforcement in automotive connectivity.

• Portfolio Expansion for Competitive Positioning: Monday.com acquired patents in enterprise IT automation and knowledge systems. Nichia Corporation added patents in LED packaging, with a focus on thermal management and miniaturization.

• Standard-Essential Patent Transfer Alert: NEC sold two ETSI-declared 5G/LTE patents to JVCKENWOOD, covering network-assisted D2D communication—relevant for public safety and mission-critical systems.

• Emerging Technologies – Potential Licensing Pressure: Philip Morris acquired 3 patents for aerosol delivery substrates, relevant to next-gen vaporization and nicotine products. Janssen Pharmaceutica (J&J) secured 2 patents in neurological therapeutics targeting progranulin modulation.

• Litigation & Licensing Risk Areas to Monitor: Patent transactions were most active in Camera Systems, ICT, Wireless Communication, and LED innovation—key sectors where assertion activity tends to follow IP consolidation.

Top Patent Buyers in March 2025

The most significant IP transfers involved acquisitions by both NPEs and operating companies. Below is a list of the top patent buyers and their respective industries:

Assignee(s)	Industry
Maxview Holdings	Camera Systems
Monday.com	Information and Communication Technology
Machinery Holdings	Machine Control Systems
Nichia Corporation	LED
Bunker Hill Technologies	Wireless Communication

Special Mentions:

• Dominion Harbor Enterprises has launched Bunker Hill Technologies (BHT), a new subsidiary focused on aggregating and commercializing intellectual property in the automotive sector. As a strategic first move, BHT acquired a robust portfolio of 10 patents from Shanghai Langbo Communication Technology, specifically centered on Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication technologies.

This acquisition marks a strategic entry into next-gen automotive technologies, covering wireless communications, emergency resource allocation, groupcast reliability, sensor integration, and aerial vehicle communication. These patents, including US11006329B2, US11134508B2, and US12101752B2, reflect innovations critical to the evolution of autonomous vehicles, connected mobility infrastructure, and smart transportation systems.

This portfolio will be increasingly vital for applications including:

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• Emergency vehicle priority signaling
• Cooperative perception and situational awareness
• Urban air mobility communication
• Intelligent traffic and infrastructure management

Companies in the following sectors should take note of this transaction:

• Tier 1 Automotive Suppliers – such as Bosch, Continental AG, and Denso, integrating V2X modules directly into vehicle systems.
• 5G & Semiconductor Providers, including Qualcomm, NXP, and Intel, are developing chipsets and platforms for NR V2X communication.
• Automotive OEMs, such as Toyota, Hyundai, and GM, are deploying connected and autonomous vehicles that rely on V2X-enabled infrastructure.

• Philip Morris International (PMI) has acquired patents for a new aerosol delivery technology using pellet-shaped substrates made from porous materials like activated carbon or alumina. These pellets absorb nicotine or flavor agents and allow for clean, consistent vaporization without burning. The technology can be used in heat-not-burn devices, nicotine replacement products, and inhalable wellness or cannabinoid systems, supporting PMI’s move toward smoke-free alternatives.
• ​Two Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCPs) patents were transferred from Solvay to Sumitomo Chemical, likely as part of Sumitomo’s acquisition of Syensqo SA/NV’s LCP neat resin business. This strategic move aims to enhance Sumitomo’s capabilities in producing high-performance materials for information and communication technology (ICT) applications and mobility sectors.

Top Patent Sellers in March 2025

Several high-profile companies divested patents this month, reshaping the competitive landscape. The table below highlights key sellers and their industries:

Assignor	Industry
Tactacam	Camera Systems
IBM	Information and Communication Technology
L And P Property Management Company	Machine Control Systems
Rohm Co	LED
Shanghai Langbo	Wireless Communication

Notable Transactions:

• NEC transferred two patents to JVCKENWOOD Corporation related to enhancing device-to-device (D2D) communication in wireless networks through network-assisted link quality control. These inventions allow wireless terminals to report real-time link metrics (e.g., SNR, RSRP) to the network, enabling dynamic optimization of transmission settings—improving reliability, reducing interference, and ensuring efficient resource allocation across D2D links.

The patents solve a critical issue in traditional D2D systems, where link quality is managed only at the device level, often resulting in interference with cellular and other D2D links due to environmental changes and noise. By introducing network-assisted control, the technology ensures more stable and coordinated communication.

Both patents have been declared essential to multiple ETSI specifications for LTE and 5G NR, including:

• TS 138 215, TS 138 300, TS 138 331 (5G NR)
  
• TS 136 214, TS 136 300, TS 136 304, TS 136 331 (LTE)
  (Source: Patsnap)

US’ 366

US’ 512

JVCKENWOOD, a leader in mission-critical communication systems for public safety and emergency services, likely acquired these patents to strengthen its IP portfolio in LTE/5G-based professional radio systems. Network-assisted D2D control is especially valuable for first responders, disaster recovery, and off-network communications, where dependable peer-to-peer links are essential.

Conclusion

The March 2025 patent transactions reflect a growing focus on licensing potential, litigation risks, and technology consolidation across industries. Companies in the automotive sector and wireless communication should assess their exposure to patents acquired by Bunker Hill Technologies to mitigate infringement risks.

GreyB’s IP Litigation Risk Assessment helps you pinpoint threats, assess their impact, and build counterstrategies. Fill out the form below to request a customized risk analysis today.