The mobile industry has always been periodically beset by patent wars, and the latest outbreaks are, predictably, tied into the early developments in 6G as well as the ecosystem’s attempt to balance conventional standards processes with the rising influence of open source or other open frameworks such as those hosted by Linux Foundation (including O-RAN). Sometimes patent spats have been necessary to establish foundational rules about how to balance open access to essential technology with protection and reward for innovation. Some processes have started in disputes but ended with stronger licensing frameworks and conventions, such as FRAND (fair reasonable and non-discriminatory) rules for access to standards-essential patents (SEP). FRAND is by no means perfectly defined or implemented, but its application…