A new intellectual property firm, PowerBridge Networks, has launched with the acquisition of a large networking patent portfolio from Avaya, marking a notable transaction in the secondary IP market. The deal includes more than 500 patents and applications spanning enterprise networking technologies, positioning the company to license foundational innovations across telecom and IT sectors.
The portfolio covers roughly 390 patent families with global reach, including U.S. and international filings. The acquisition follows Avaya’s ongoing shift toward cloud-based offerings, as the company continues to divest non-core assets after selling parts of its networking business. For PowerBridge, the deal provides an initial base of assets tied to core infrastructure used in enterprise and cloud environments.
PowerBridge, led by industry veteran Dr. Donald Bitting, is focused on acquiring and licensing patent portfolios that companies no longer actively use. The firm aims to connect patent holders with companies seeking access to established technologies, while simplifying licensing in a market that has historically been fragmented.
“PowerBridge aims to bridge the gap between initial discovery and market adoption,” Bitting said, noting that many companies lack the resources to commercialize intellectual property globally.
The acquisition reflects a broader trend of corporations monetizing dormant intellectual property as part of balance sheet and strategy optimization. Transactions involving telecom and networking patents have accelerated in recent years, particularly as companies pivot toward software and cloud services while offloading legacy infrastructure assets.
PowerBridge said it plans to organize the newly acquired patents into targeted portfolios aligned with different layers of networking infrastructure, with additional acquisitions expected as it builds out its licensing platform.
Key Facts
- PowerBridge Networks launched with the acquisition of Avaya’s networking patent portfolio
- Portfolio includes 500+ patents and applications across ~390 patent families
- Assets span enterprise networking technologies with global coverage
- Transaction aligns with Avaya’s shift toward cloud-focused strategy
- PowerBridge to license patents across telecom, enterprise IT, and related sectors
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