HEVC LANDSCAPE REPORT
HEVC (high-efficiency video coding), or H.265, is a video compression standard that stands as a testament to the power of global collaboration. It represents a significant advancement in video compression technology, offering efficient delivery of high-quality video.
The HEVC patent landscape showcases a dynamic evolution of innovation, with most patents focusing on three primary techniques: video decoding, video encoding and predictive coding.
These patents, whose filing peaked in the period between 2011 and 2013, coincide with the surge in technological advancements that led to the finalisation of the H.265 standard.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the HEVC patent landscape, examining the critical innovations driving the technology and their implications for the industry.
Through HEVC patent filing data, we tracked the innovative advances that led to the H.265 standard. We analysed a large data set and broke the patents down into three main categories: video decoding, video encoding, and predictive-based coding techniques. Our analysis showed that innovation in HEVC technology reached its peak from 2011–2013, and we identified the leading technology companies that filed essential patents related to HEVC techniques.
An extensive search of patent databases yielded an initial dataset of around 12,000 patents in our categories of interest. Of these, 4,865 patents could be categorised as HEVC, based on their abstracts, summaries and claims related to H.265 technology.
The influence of these patents on the HEVC standard is profound, as they form the foundation of essential video coding processes that have enabled higher compression rates, reduced storage requirements, and improved streaming capabilities. Beneficiaries of these advances include streaming services, broadcasting corporations, and telecommunications companies, which leverage HEVC’s efficient compression algorithms to deliver enhanced video quality under bandwidth constraints.
Leading technology companies filed many essential patents related to HEVC techniques, demonstrating the competitive and targeted nature of HEVC video encoding, decoding and predictive-based coding. The organisations making the largest innovative contributions included Qualcomm, JVC, Samsung, Sony, Huawei, LG, Nokia, Interdigital, NTT, Dolby and Sun Patent.
Disparities exist between patent assignees and their inclusion in the “VIA Licensing HEVC” and “Access Advance HEVC” patent pools. The following assignees from the HEVC dataset were not a part of the VIA Licensing HEVC patent pool: British Telecom, Dolby, Godo Kaisha, IP Wave, Panasonic, Inventor, Google, Nokia, Wsou Investments, Dynamic Data Technology, Avago, Microsoft, Philips, Tandberg Telecom As, AT&T, Intel and Video labs.
Around 140 total assignees from the HEVC dataset were not part of the Access Advance HEVC patent pool, including: British Telecom PLC, Nokia, Tandberg, AT&T, Realnetworks Inc, Texas, Macdonald Boyce Jill, National Chiao Tung, Eastman Kodak Co, LSI Corp, Mayhew Christopher, Apple, NXP, Avocent and Cisco.
Though the HEVC standard was finalised in 2013, improvements have been gradually implemented to address evolving technological demands. Subsequent editions introduced enhancements like 3D video support, screen content coding, and neural network post-processing, ensuring HEVC’s adaptability and relevance. This iterative approach has allowed the standard to meet the needs of diverse applications over time.
Patent filings in this area were minimal before 2010, but a sharp increase began in 2011, aligning with general advancements in video compression technology. The peak filing year was 2012, reflecting the heightened focus on decoding innovations during the development of the HEVC standard. The steady number of filings from 2014 onwards highlights the sustained importance of video decoding techniques in the HEVC landscape.
We analysed the unique HEVC patent families and identified their top assignees. This shows contributions from major and top assignees such as Qualcomm, JVC, Samsung, Sony, Huawei, LG, Nokia, Interdigital, NTT, Dolby and Sun Patent.
