Huawei v ZTE and the many-headed Hydra

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) established important criteria for licensing of standard-essential patents (SEPs) in last year’s Huawei v ZTE judgment. The court provided a framework of rights and obligations for SEP owners and users. On the day of the CJEU’s decision, commentators had already identified a huge number of follow-up questions. As the Lernaean Hydra in Greek and Roman mythology grew at least one new head with every one chopped off, the field of SEPs brings about at least one new question with every one answered.