AST opens IP3 2026 patent submission window

Allied Security Trust opened submissions for IP3 2026, a fixed-price program that lets patent owners sell or license patents directly to more than 30 major technology companies through July 6. AST says the process carries no seller fees or commissions, with decisions due by October 2 and closing payment due within 30 business days of a signed agreement.

Why it matters: - IP3 gives patent owners a direct route to major technology buyers without traditional auction or negotiation friction. - The program can support both outright sales and non-exclusive licensing, which gives sellers more flexibility to monetize assets. - AST says the model is designed to reduce patent litigation risk for its member companies by identifying patents before they are asserted in court.

What happened: - Allied Security Trust opened the IP3 2026 submission window on June 22, 2026. - Submissions are accepted through July 6, 2026. - Patent owners, universities, law firms and brokers can submit patents for sale or license to more than 30 technology companies. - The member group includes Cisco, Google, IBM, Intel, Meta, Microsoft and others.

The details: - IP3 uses a fixed-price, fixed-term structure. - Sellers set the asking price. - If AST member companies agree, the transaction closes at the submitted price. - AST does not charge seller fees or commissions. - AST says there is no negotiation in the process. - Submitters receive a decision by October 2, 2026. - Approved transactions close with payment within 30 business days of a fully executed agreement. - IP3 2026 accepts outright sale, group licensing or both. - A single patent portfolio can be listed under either or both options. - The group licensing track offers a non-exclusive license to up to 35 AST member companies at a single fixed price. - AST first introduced the group licensing track in IP3 2024. - In IP3 2025, group licensing portfolios accounted for nearly half of completed deals. - Sellers may continue marketing their assets independently through August 30, 2026. - Submissions must include a fixed asking price and at least one active granted patent in an approved jurisdiction. - AST prefers single-family submissions, though multiple related families may be submitted together. - Existing lots under review can be transferred into IP3 2026 during the submission window. - AST encourages patent owners to consult with an attorney before submitting. - Since launching in 2016, AST members have invested more than $43 million through more than 425 completed IP3 transactions. - Individual lot prices have ranged from $10,000 to $800,000. - IP3 2025 produced 47 completed transactions and $5.1 million invested, up from $4.2 million in 2024.

Between the lines: - The steady rise in transaction volume suggests the fixed-price model is gaining traction with both patent sellers and corporate buyers. - The growing share of group licensing deals points to stronger demand from owners who want to keep title while still generating revenue. - AST's emphasis on documentation, including evidence of use and claim charts, signals that prepared submissions are more likely to move quickly. - Russell Binns, CEO and General Counsel of Allied Security Trust, said sellers increasingly want flexibility to monetize without permanently parting with their assets. - Mihir Patel, EVP Licensing & Analytics at Allied Security Trust, said the submissions that close typically have strong evidence of use, clear claim charts and pricing grounded in current market conditions.

What's next: - AST will notify submitters of its intent to move forward by October 2, 2026. - Closing and payment will follow within 30 business days after a fully executed agreement. - Patent owners can submit and get more information at Submit and learn more. - Questions can be sent to ip3@ast.com. - Sellers can continue marketing assets independently until August 30, 2026.