Welcome to Skilled in the Art. I’m Law.com IP reporter Scott Graham. The standard-essential patent wars over connected cars just got more interesting. Telematics supplier Continental Automotive sued Nokia, Conversant and PanOptis, and patent pool Avanci, this morning, accusing them of refusing to license to anyone but auto manufacturers. And they’re suing in Silicon Valley, where at least one judge has ruled that SEP holders must negotiate at all ends of the supply chain. More details below. Meanwhile, Judge Alsup makes the case for less secrecy in patent litigation, and Andrei Iancu confirms that the PTO is weighing whether to abandon its 2013 FRAND antitrust guidance. As always feel free to email me your feedback and follow me on Twitter.

Sheppard Mullin partner Stephen Korniczky.

Sheppard Strikes Again on Connected Cars

The war over standard-essential patents for the connected car industry is coming to Silicon Valley.