IEEE's Standard Overhaul: Antitrust Armor for Tech Wizards
Published Date: 2/3/2025
Notice
Summary
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) just updated its list of technology standards, adding 51 new ones and revising 17 existing ones. These changes help protect companies from big antitrust lawsuits by limiting damages to actual losses. This update affects tech companies and innovators working with IEEE standards and keeps things fair and clear starting December 2024.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Antitrust Liability Cap Extended
On December 19, 2024, IEEE filed notifications to extend the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993 provision that limits antitrust plaintiffs to recovering only actual damages under specified circumstances. That extension applies to activities covered by IEEE's standards development notifications.
IEEE Added and Revised Standards
IEEE initiated 51 new standards and revised 17 existing standards, as disclosed in notifications filed December 19, 2024. The notice also states that pre-standards activities associated with IEEE Industry Connections were launched or renewed and provides URLs for more detail.
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