Given a strong (even if not exclusive) connection with video streaming patents, this entire article is available free of charge.

A few months ago, ip fray mentioned on LinkedIn that Arvin Patel was leaving Nokia “on an extremely positive note” and described him as “[o]ne of the most well-respected licensing executives in the industry” while making it clear that Nokia Technologies was set to grow.

Today, Erich Spangenberg’s SIM IP announced that Mr. Patel joins the company as managing director. The Silicon Valley-based licensing executive will “focus on driving new opportunities for SIM IP to use its multi-strategy investment platform to help companies unlock the full potential of their intellectual property.” Mr. Patel has a strong and impressive background in patent licensing and dealmaking. Prior to Nokia, where he built the video-streaming licensing business, he made an impact at companies like IBM, Rovi, Technicolor, TiVo (now Adeia), and Intellectual Ventures:


Video streaming is a context in which there obviously are opportunities for Mr. Patel at SIM IP, but he is by no means limited to that field of technology.

We’ve had the opportunity to interview Mr. Patel on the occasion of this announcement to talk more about the move, the growth of IP as an investable asset class, and why he believes SIM IP is poised to become one of the most exciting IP investment platforms in the industry. But before the interview, let us share what Erich Spangenberg told us:

“Arvin is a fantastic IP dealmaker and creative thinker. He completely embodies the culture we’ve been establishing at SIM. I’ve watched him succeed over the years, and I’m happy to get the chance to work with him on this new venture. He is one of the premier brands in the licensing world, and I know we’ll accomplish big things together.”

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Interview
ip fray: Arvin, you’ve held senior roles at some of the largest IP licensing companies
in the world and just came off a very successful run at Nokia. Why was now the right time to make a move?

Arvin Patel: I’ve had an exciting and dynamic career so far. I’ve been fortunate to see the IP world through a lot of different lenses. I led the IP businesses at Technicolor and TiVo (now Adeia), was the COO at Intellectual Ventures, and most recently, ran licensing for New Markets at Nokia. I also sit on the Board of the UCLA Technology Development Group, which brings technologies developed within UCLA and the broader UC university system to the market to solve real-world problems. Over the years, I’ve worked with some amazing people and managed to close billions of
dollars in IP-related transactions. While I love dealmaking, at the end of the day, I’m a
business leader and asset manager who is laser-focused on putting IP to its highest and best use.

ip fray: We saw in the spring that you were leaving Nokia on excellent terms…

Arvin Patel: My time at Nokia was fantastic. I joined in 2022 because I wanted to build a major licensing business from the ground up. I knew there was a massive untapped licensing opportunity for video services, but Nokia needed someone to start the engine and get things rolling. In short order, I built out an all-star team, mined the portfolio, and developed a strong licensing pipeline. Fast forward to 2025 – my team and I closed multiple video streaming deals without litigation and signed dozens of CE licenses. When forced to litigate against Amazon and HP, we launched massive campaigns, secured injunctions and importation bans across the globe, and ultimately reached favorable settlements. Nokia will continue to succeed.

ip fray: Now you’re at SIM IP, which describes itself as an IP investment platform. We’ve reported on various of SIM IP’s deals since last year, but an you unpack that concept of a multi-strategy IP investment platform for our readers?

Arvin Patel: Absolutely. We can be the white knight for innovators looking to get a return on their R&D investments through acquisitions or agent models. We can funbd enforcement campaigns. We also help protect innovators from IP theft or prevent them from becoming disintermediated by their customers or suppliers. And importantly, we’re industry-agnostic.

ip fray: What makes SIM different from other IP investment vehicles?

Arvin Patel: First, flexibility. Most IP investment firms are stuck in a narrow lane like litigation finance or IP-backed lending. SIM isn’t. We’ve got a broad capital mandate. That opens a lot of doors others simply can’t walk through. Then there’s the team. With Erich Spangenberg leading the charge, you’ve got one of the most effective dealmakers in the industry. Combine that with a broader team of experts across law, finance, and technology, and you’ve got an execution engine that few shops can match. SIM can diligence a portfolio, model its value, and get to the execution phase at a speed that surprises people. That speed and precision is a big differentiator in a market where timing can mean everything. And because SIM proactively sources deals, it’s not waiting for opportunities to show up – it’s uncovering them before anyone else sees them. Put that all together, and SIM isn’t just another IP fund – it’s a platform built to scale, adapt, and win.

ip fray: Many investors don’t understand IP as an asset class. Why should they be
paying attention to now?

Arvin Patel: I’ve always believed IP is one of the most compelling alternative assets out
there. Why? Because it provides uncorrelated returns. Whether the stock market is up
or down, IP remains valuable regardless. It’s a hedge against inflation, trade wars, and
a diversification tool that sits outside traditional asset classes. And the returns can be very attractive. If you know what you’re doing, you’re looking at IRRs [internal rates of return] north of 30% over three-to-five years. That should get the attention of any investor. Savvy investors like Erich have recognized and capitalized on the potential of IP over the years. While it’s still a specialized space, we’re seeing more structured IP financings, more SPAC activity tied to IP, and more sophisticated approaches aimed at IP value creation. Over the long term, I believe IP will become a more widely appreciated asset class.

ip fray: You’ve been vocal about the opportunity in video. Why is this market so
compelling right now?

Arvin Patel: Video is everywhere – OTT [over-the-top] streaming platforms, social media, gaming, e-commerce, even online gambling. Yet the licensing market has been broken for years. Codec pools don’t offer licensees full freedom to operate. They only cover a narrow slice of the technology stack. Meanwhile, other technologies that lead to increased revenue and profitability – like adaptive bitrate streaming, CDNs, content recommendation, and UI/UX – are left off the table. Those other assets are sitting underutilized and under-monetized inside companies, costing them millions to maintain without generating real returns. By bringing them together, it’s possible to offer a broader license that better reflects how video is delivered today. That’s a major licensing opportunity, and one I’m excited to potentially unlock.

ip fray: What about beyond video? Can you name just a few examples?

Arvin Patel: Smartphones, DTVs, Pay-TV, OTT, Social Media, Automotive, and Semiconductors, and others.

ip fray: You’ve been part of some big licensing wins in your career. What lessons are
you carrying into your new role?

Arvin Patel: One lesson I’ve learned is that the best deals solve real business problems.
They retire risk on reasonable financial terms, clear the way for product roadmaps,
unlock new revenue streams, and keep your counterparty looking smart in front of their C-Suite or Board. Another lesson is that credibility matters. When you’ve run global programs at scale, people know you can deliver, and that opens doors that might otherwise stay shut. It means counterparties will take your call and trust that you can get a deal done on reasonable terms. At the end of the day, great licensing is about trust and execution. When done right, it’s not just a transaction – it’s a way to solve business challenges and create lasting value.

ip fray: Final question—after everything you’ve done, what keeps you motivated?

Arvin Patel: I’m motivated by the chance to build something new that pushes the industry forward and leaves a lasting mark. IP still has so much untapped potential, and it feels like the market is finally waking up to it. Being part of this new wave of IP investing and monetization – especially alongside Erich and the SIM IP team – is what really energizes me. And honestly, I still love the chase. Every deal is different, every negotiation has its own dynamics, and I thrive on finding solutions that make everyone stronger. That mix of challenge and opportunity is what keeps me coming back.

ip fray: We will definitely keep an eye on your new projects and future deals.