"It is good that the European Parliament has decided to uphold its legal action before the European Court of Justice against the European Commission's withdrawal of the draft regulation on standard-essential patents (SEPs). The withdrawal of the draft has significant negative consequences—both for the German automotive industry and for technological progress in Europe as a whole.

The SEP Regulation would be a crucial step in ensuring that European companies have access to essential technologies under fair and transparent conditions. It would drive technological innovation, strengthen the European technology and automotive sectors, and solidify the EU's leadership in key industries. Furthermore, the regulation would support the EU's green and digital transformation by promoting the development of standardized technologies with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. These objectives are essential for securing Europe's competitiveness in a rapidly changing global environment.

The SEP proposal is a suitable instrument to address existing market failures in the area of SEPs, maximize investment and innovation, and promote standardization ecosystems that strengthen the EU's competitiveness.

The VDA therefore appeals to all European institutions to consistently pursue the chosen path and create the framework for the fair, transparent, and innovation-friendly use of standard-essential patents. Only in this way Europe can secure its technological sovereignty and successfully shape the transformation towards a sustainable and digital future."