Access Advance LLC: Company Profile

Background

Overview

Access Advance LLC, established in 2015, is an independent licensing administration company specializing in the development, administration, and management of patent pools for essential patents related to standards-based video codec technologies. The company offers a transparent and efficient licensing mechanism for both patent owners and implementers, ensuring Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) rates that balance the interests of all parties involved.

Mission and Vision

Access Advance's mission is to simplify licensing processes and enable innovation by providing modern, efficient, and transparent patent pool licensing solutions. The company's vision is to lead the way to the next generation of patent pool licensing, fostering widespread adoption of advanced video codec technologies.

Primary Area of Focus

The company's primary focus is on licensing essential patents for video codec technologies, including High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC/H.265), Versatile Video Coding (VVC/H.266), and Video Streaming Enhancement Interoperability (VSEI). Access Advance manages patent pools that cover these standards, offering comprehensive licensing solutions to implementers and patent owners.

Industry Significance

Access Advance plays a crucial role in the video codec industry by facilitating efficient and transparent licensing of essential patents. Its patent pools provide implementers with access to a broad portfolio of patents, reducing the complexity and cost associated with individual licensing negotiations. This approach accelerates the adoption of advanced video technologies across various applications, including streaming services, broadcasting, and telecommunications.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Simplify Licensing Processes: Streamline the licensing of essential patents to reduce administrative burdens for both patent owners and implementers.

Ensure Fair and Transparent Licensing: Offer FRAND-compliant licensing terms that equitably balance the interests of all stakeholders.

Expand Patent Pool Offerings: Continuously grow and diversify patent pools to cover emerging video codec standards and technologies.

Specific Areas of Specialization

Video Codec Technologies: Specializing in licensing patents for HEVC/H.265, VVC/H.266, and VSEI standards.

Patent Pool Management: Expertise in developing and managing patent pools that aggregate essential patents for efficient licensing.

Key Technologies Utilized

Patent Pool Licensing Platforms: Utilizing advanced platforms to manage and administer patent pools, ensuring efficient royalty collection and distribution.

Data Analytics Tools: Employing analytics to monitor patent usage and optimize licensing terms.

Primary Markets Targeted

Video Streaming Services: Providing licensing solutions for companies delivering video content over the internet.

Broadcasting Industry: Offering patent pool licenses to broadcasters implementing advanced video codecs.

Telecommunications Sector: Serving telecom companies that utilize video codecs in their communication services.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

As a privately held company, Access Advance has not publicly disclosed detailed financial information or funding history. The company operates with a focus on providing efficient and transparent licensing solutions, which has contributed to its growth and expansion in the industry.

Recent Developments

Expansion of Patent Pools: In January 2025, Access Advance launched the Video Distribution Patent Pool (VDP), covering essential patents for HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codecs.

Acquisition of Via Licensing Alliance's HEVC/VVC Program: In August 2025, Access Advance acquired Via Licensing Alliance's HEVC/VVC program, now known as VCL Advance, to offer a comprehensive licensing solution for HEVC and VVC codecs.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

HEVC Advance Patent Pool: Licensing essential patents for the HEVC/H.265 standard, with coverage from over 27,000 patents.

VVC Advance Patent Pool: Licensing patents essential to the VVC/H.266 and VSEI standards, with coverage from over 3,600 patents.

Video Distribution Patent Pool (VDP): Launched in January 2025, this pool includes essential patents for HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codecs.

Stages of Development

HEVC Advance Patent Pool: Established and operational, offering comprehensive licensing solutions for HEVC/H.265.

VVC Advance Patent Pool: Launched in July 2021, providing licensing for VVC/H.266 and VSEI standards.

VDP Pool: Introduced in January 2025, expanding licensing coverage to include additional modern video codecs.

Target Conditions

HEVC Advance Patent Pool: Targeting implementers of HEVC/H.265 in various industries, including streaming, broadcasting, and telecommunications.

VVC Advance Patent Pool: Aiming at companies adopting VVC/H.266 and VSEI standards for advanced video compression.

VDP Pool: Designed for video distribution providers utilizing HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codecs.

Anticipated Milestones

HEVC Advance Patent Pool: Continued expansion of licensors and licensees, enhancing the pool's value and reach.

VVC Advance Patent Pool: Growth in the adoption of VVC/H.266 and VSEI standards, leading to increased licensing activity.

VDP Pool: Wider industry adoption of the VDP Pool, streamlining licensing for multiple video codecs.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Patent Pool Management System: A proprietary platform developed by Access Advance to efficiently manage patent pools, including royalty collection, distribution, and reporting.

Significant Scientific Methods

Data Analytics: Utilizing advanced analytics to monitor patent usage, optimize licensing terms, and ensure fair royalty distribution.

Market Intelligence: Employing market research to identify emerging trends and adapt licensing strategies accordingly.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

Peter Moller: Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Peter has extensive experience in patent licensing and has been instrumental in expanding Access Advance's patent pools and strategic initiatives.

Jeffrey Blumenfeld: Senior Vice President, Licensing and Market Intelligence. Jeffrey leads the company's licensing operations and market analysis, contributing to the growth and efficiency of Access Advance's licensing programs.

Dylan Zhou: Senior Vice President, Licensing and Market Intelligence. Dylan plays a key role in overseeing licensing strategies and market intelligence, ensuring Access Advance's offerings meet industry demands.

Leadership Changes

Acquisition of Via Licensing Alliance's HEVC/VVC Program: In August 2025, Access Advance acquired Via Licensing Alliance's HEVC/VVC program, now known as VCL Advance, to offer a comprehensive licensing solution for HEVC and VVC codecs.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The video codec licensing market is characterized by rapid technological advancements and the need for efficient patent licensing solutions. The adoption of advanced video codecs like HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 is driving demand for comprehensive patent pool licenses. Companies seek transparent and fair licensing terms to facilitate the deployment of these technologies across various platforms and services.

Competitor Analysis

Sisvel: A leading patent licensing company offering patent pools for various technologies, including video codecs.

V-Nova: Specializes in advanced video compression technology, providing solutions for encoding and decoding enhanced video streams.

Avanci: A licensing platform that aggregates patents for IoT devices, including video codecs, offering a one-stop licensing solution.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Multi-Codec Bridging Agreement (MCBA): Access Advance offers the MCBA, providing companies that are licensees in both the HEVC Advance and VVC Advance patent pools with substantially reduced royalties for products that implement both codecs.

Acquisition of VCL Advance: In August 2025, Access Advance acquired Via Licensing Alliance's HEVC/VVC program, now known as VCL Advance, to offer a comprehensive licensing solution for HEVC and VVC codecs.