March 7, 2025
Final written decisions have been issued in our two IPRs challenging US 10,117,014 B2 and US 10,397,688 B2 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH. Once again the Board has found all original claims unpatentable and denied the Motions to Amend.
February 21, 2025
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of European patent EP2979267 by Dolby Labs Licensing Co. The patent has been revoked in its entirety.
February 18, 2025
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of European patent EP3149730 by Dolby Labs Licensing Co. The patent has been revoked in its entirety.
January 7, 2025
HIMPP receives a new patent on charging systems for hearing aids US 12,191,689 B2.
January 1, 2025
Long time partner Minnesota-based Intricon Corporation, has decided to discontinue their hearing health business and has therefore also left HIMPP. Intricon continues to excel within micromedical device technologies being their primary areas of business. We thank Intricon for nearly two decades of fruitful co-operation and wish them all the best in their continued endeavors.
December 16, 2024
HIMPP acquires a small patent family (EP3807878B1) from US based Pindrop Security Inc. on AI based speech enhancement. The family comprises Canadian, European and US patent family members.
December 10, 2024
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of European patent EP3345263B1 by Nura Holdings PTY Ltd. The patent has been revoked in its entirety.
November 21, 2024
HIMPP acquires a small patent family (EP3643077B1) from Austrian speaker manufacturer USound GmbH. The
family comprises Chinese, European and US members.
November 14, 2024
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of European patent EP3086567 B1 by Bose Corporation. The patent has been revoked in its entirety. The decision from the Board of Opposition was appealed, but has now been confirmed by the EPO Board of Appeal.
November 12, 2024
HIMPP succesfully challenges U.S. Patent No. 10,635,385 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH in the Inter Partes Review filed at the US PTAB. All claims were found to be unpatentable.
April 22, 2024
HIMPP has acquired another patent family (US10555092) from Japanese conglomerate Nitto Denko on control of hearing aids between operational and charging states.
April 11, 2024
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of EP3588776 by Guoguang Electric Company Limited. The patent has been revoked in its entirety.
February 13, 2024
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of EP 3586523 B1 by Bose Corporation. The patent has been revoked in its entirety.
November 11, 2023
Sound Design Technologies (SDT) has discontinued partnership in HIMPP. SDT was the only component manufacturer in HIMPP and decided to step out in alignment of other business interests.
September 29, 2023
HIMPP acquires a small patent family around EP 3 718 316 B1 from Wohlleben. The patents concern streaming of secondary sound sources to hearing aids.
July 25, 2023
HIMPP files two further petitions for Inter Partes Review concerning U.S. Patent No. 10,117,014 and U.S. Patent No. 10,397,688 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patents.
July 15, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,843,853 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patent.
May 11, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,635,385 by German patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patent.
December 27, 2022
HIMPP has acquired a patent family (US10218223) from Japanese conglomerate Nitto Denko on control of hearing aids between an operational state and a charging state. Nitto Denko is a world-renowned manufacturer of batteries and charging solutions, and the patent fit well into the HIMPP portfolio with its specific focus on charging solutions in the hearing aid/OTC device space.
February 8, 2021
HIMPP acquires the entire iHear Medical Inc. patent portfolio. The acquisition of the iHear Medical portfolio is the largest single acquisition by HIMPP, since its foundation 25 years ago in 1996. The iHear Medical portfolio comprises more than 50 granted US patents of more than 60 granted patents globally as well as a number of pending patent applications. The portfolio targets a variety of hearing aid related technologies such as self-hearing-testing, self-fitting, health monitoring and activity tracking via hearing aids. The patents may be licensed by any company, who may benefit from operating under these patents according to our 1% FRAND license program or by joining HIMPP as a full partner.
See the iHear Medical Inc. patents
September 28, 2020
HIMPP acquires the patent portfolio of US wireless earbud manufacturer Acouva Inc.. The patents concern a variety of technologies from bone conduction aided devices to charger cases.
See the Acouva Inc. patents
August 10, 2020
HIMPP acquires patents from ExSilent Research. The patents concern RITE hearing aids with microphones in the ear canal, self-fitting tests and mechanical constructions such as pull members for easy removal of hearing aids from the ear.
See the ExSilent Research patents
Febrary 1, 2020
Stefan Launer is new Chairman of the Board of Directors in HIMPP
Niels Jacobsen resigned from the position as Chairman of the Board, which he held since the foundation of HIMPP in 1996. Stefan Launer takes over his role at the Board.
November 19, 2019
The Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Patent Partnership (HIMPP) and Intellectual Ventures (IV) enter a License Agreement
The Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Patent Partnership (HIMPP) announced today it has entered into an intellectual property license agreement providing HIMPP access to Intellectual Ventures’ (IV’s) patent portfolio within the field of use of Hearing Aids and technologies relating to Hearing Impairment. Non-HIMPP members are invited to join that license agreement through a HIMPP membership or through a HIMPP license on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms without a HIMPP membership. Details on scope and terms can be shared with potential licensees under NDA by contacting HIMPP (info@himpp.info).
The license agreement between HIMPP and IV is on a non-exclusive basis and other licenses to IV’s patent portfolio may therefore be negotiated directly with IV and independent of HIMPP.
October 1, 2019
US Patent 10433074 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
September 4, 2019
European Patent 2109934 “Personalized sound system hearing profile selection” has been granted to HIMPP.
August 20, 2019
US Patent 10390155 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
July 2, 2019
US Patent 10341791 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
June 1, 2019
European Patent Attorney Hans Jørgen Rindorf joins HIMPP in support of our increasing activities.
May 7, 2019
US Patent 10284998 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
July 18, 2018
European Patent 2596620 “Method of remotely controlling an ear-level device functional element” has been granted to HIMPP.
May 30, 2018
European Patent 1216599 “Producing and storing hearing profiles and customized audio data” has been granted to HIMPP.
April 19, 2018
A new HIMPP Code of Conduct has been ratified. A complete review of HIMPPs compliance with US Antitrust laws and European competition law has been carried out during 2017 and the first part of 2018 by leading law firms in antitrust and competition law in both US and Europe. HIMPP was found to be compliant in all governing agreements and procedures. In an effort to secure continued compliance, some of the procedures already governing the co-operation have now been explicitly mentioned in our updated Code of Conduct to support day-to-day efforts in maintaining a compliant behavior.
April 19, 2018
CEO of HIMPP Søren Westermann voluntarily resigns after 22 years in service, but remains on the HIMPP Board of Directors. Søren Westermann was part of the small group of initiators of the HIMPP co-operation back in the 90’es and has for more than two decades been one of the key driving factors in the HIMPP efforts to protect the hearing aid space from IP trolling. The mission of HIMPP already back then and still is to secure free competition between the hearing aid manufacturers ultimately to the benefit of the hearing aid users. Søren Westermann will remain closely connected to the HIMPP activities through continued membership on the Board of Directors. The new CEO as of April 19 is former COO of HIMPP Stinus Jeppesen.
March 30, 2018
HIMPP acquires patents from SoundID and SoundHawk. The patents concern personalized hearing aid systems and methods of personalizing hearing aid systems and profiles remotely and in real time and apparatuses for that.
See the SoundID and SoundHawk patents
April 28, 2017
HIMPP acquires patents from Galler. The patents concerns digital hearing aid battery conservation method and apparatus
January 1, 2017:
HIMPP reduces running royalty from 3% to 1%, effective immediately. Partner entry share price will increase from USD1.8 to 2.5 million effective 1 July 2017
June 30, 2016
HIMPP acquires two patent families from AT&T. The patent families concerns the interaction between hearing aids and a cellphone
April 29, 2016
HIMPP acquires a patent from Ruwisch. The patent covers a hearing aid with a user control for adjusting the extent of noise suppresion
April 14, 2016:
HIMPP acquires four patent families from On Semi-conductor. The patents cover hearing aid circuit technology
See the On Semi-conductor patents
July 27, 2015
HIMPP acquires four patent families from HEI, Inc. (Hybrid Electronics). The patents cover hearing aid circuit technology.
June 30, 2015
HIMPP acquires two patent families from Avaya, Inc. The patent families concerns the interaction between hearing aids and a cellphone.
December 16, 2024
HIMPP acquires a small patent family (EP3807878B1) from US based Pindrop Security Inc. on AI based speech enhancement. The family comprises Canadian, European and US patent family members.
December 10, 2024
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of European patent EP3345263B1 by Nura Holdings PTY Ltd. The patent has been revoked in its entirety.
November 21, 2024
HIMPP acquires a small
patent family (EP3643077B1) from Austrian speaker manufacturer USound GmbH. The family comprises Chinese, European and US members.
November 14, 2024
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of European patent EP3086567 B1 by Bose Corporation. The patent has been revoked in its entirety. The decision from the Board of Opposition was appealed, but has now been confirmed by the EPO Board of Appeal.
November 12, 2024
HIMPP succesfully challenges U.S. Patent No. 10,635,385 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH in the Inter Partes Review filed at the US PTAB. All claims were found to be unpatentable.
April 22, 2024
HIMPP has acquired another patent family (US10555092) from Japanese conglomerate Nitto Denko on control of hearing aids between
operational and charging states.
April 11, 2024
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of EP3588776 by Guoguang Electric Company Limited. The patent has been revoked in its entirety.
February 13, 2024
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of EP 3586523 B1 by Bose Corporation. The patent has been revoked in its entirety.
November 11, 2023
Sound Design Technologies (SDT) has discontinued partnership in HIMPP.
SDT was the only component manufacturer in HIMPP and decided to step out
in alignement of other business interests.
September 29, 2023
HIMPP acquires a small patent family around EP 3 718 316 B1 from Wohlleben. The patents concern streaming of secondary sound sources to hearing aids.
July 27, 2023
HIMPP files two further petitions for Inter Partes Review concerning U.S. Patent No. 10,117,014 and U.S. Patent No. 10,397,688 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patents.
July 15, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,843,853 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH
to challenge the validity of the patent.
May 11, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,635,385 by German patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge
the validity of the patent.
December 27, 2022
HIMPP has acquired a patent family (US10218223) from Japanese conglomerate Nitto Denko on control of hearing aids between an
operational state and a charging state. Read More
February 8, 2021
HIMPP has acquired the entire patent portfolio of iHear Medical Inc.. The acquisition is the largest single acquisition by HIMPP, since its foundation 25 years ago in 1996. Read more
September 28, 2020
HIMPP has acquired the patent portfolio of Acouva Inc.. Read more
August 8, 2020
HIMPP has acquired patents from ExSilent Research. Read more
February 1, 2020
Stefan Launer is new Chairman of the Board of Directors in HIMPP. Read more.
November 19, 2019
The Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Patent Partnership (HIMPP) and Intellectual Ventures (IV) enter a License Agreement. Read more
October 1, 2019
US Patent 10433074 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP. (Oct 1, 2019)
June 1, 2019
European Patent Attorney Hans Jørgen Rindorf joins HIMPP in support of our increasing activities.
April 19, 2018
A new HIMPP Code of Conduct has been ratified. Read more
April 19, 2018
Søren Westermann steps back after 22 years as CEO of HIMPP, but remains on the Board of Directors.
The new CEO as of April 19, 2018 is former COO of HIMPP Stinus Jeppesen. Read more
March 30, 2018
HIMPP has acquired patents from SoundID and SoundHawk. Read more
April 28, 2017
HIMPP has acquired patents from Galler. Read more
January 1, 2017
HIMPP reduces running royalty from 3% to 1%, but increases partner entry share price as of 1 July 2017. Read more
February 13, 2024
HIMPP successfully challenges the validity of EP 3586523 B1 by Bose Corporation. The patent has been revoked in its entirety.
September 29, 2023
HIMPP acquires a small patent family around EP 3 718 316 B1 from Wohlleben. The patents concern streaming of secondary sound sources to hearing aids.
July 25, 2023
HIMPP files two further petitions for Inter Partes Review concerning U.S. Patent No. 10,117,014 and U.S. Patent No. 10,397,688 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patents.
July 15, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,843,853 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patent.
May 11, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,635,385 by German patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patent.
December 27, 2022
HIMPP has acquired a patent family (US10218223) from Japanese conglomerate Nitto Denko on control of hearing aids between an operational state and a charging state. Nitto Denko is a world-renowned manufacturer of batteries and charging solutions, and the patent fit well into the HIMPP portfolio with its specific focus on charging solutions in the hearing aid/OTC device space.
February 8, 2021
HIMPP acquires the entire iHear Medical Inc. patent portfolio. The acquisition of the iHear Medical portfolio is the largest single acquisition by HIMPP, since its foundation 25 years ago in 1996. The iHear Medical portfolio comprises more than 50 granted US patents of more than 60 granted patents globally as well as a number of pending patent applications. The portfolio targets a variety of hearing aid related technologies such as self-hearing-testing, self-fitting, health monitoring and activity tracking via hearing aids. The patents may be licensed by any company, who may benefit from operating under these patents according to our 1% FRAND license program or by joining HIMPP as a full partner.
See the iHear Medical Inc. patents
September 28, 2020
HIMPP acquires the patent portfolio of US wireless earbud manufacturer Acouva Inc.. The patents concern a variety of technologies from bone conduction aided devices to charger cases.
See the Acouva Inc. patents
August 10, 2020
HIMPP acquires patents from ExSilent Research. The patents concern RITE hearing aids with microphones in the ear canal, self-fitting tests and mechanical constructions such as pull members for easy removal of hearing aids from the ear.
See the ExSilent Research patents
Febrary 1, 2020
Stefan Launer is new Chairman of the Board of Directors in HIMPP
Niels Jacobsen resigned from the position as Chairman of the Board, which he held since the foundation of HIMPP in 1996. Stefan Launer takes over his role at the Board.
November 19, 2019
The Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Patent Partnership (HIMPP) and Intellectual Ventures (IV) enter a License Agreement
The Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Patent Partnership (HIMPP) announced today it has entered into an intellectual property license agreement providing HIMPP access to Intellectual Ventures’ (IV’s) patent portfolio within the field of use of Hearing Aids and technologies relating to Hearing Impairment. Non-HIMPP members are invited to join that license agreement through a HIMPP membership or through a HIMPP license on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms without a HIMPP membership. Details on scope and terms can be shared with potential licensees under NDA by contacting HIMPP (info@himpp.info).
The license agreement between HIMPP and IV is on a non-exclusive basis and other licenses to IV’s patent portfolio may therefore be negotiated directly with IV and independent of HIMPP.
October 1, 2019
US Patent 10433074 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
September 4, 2019
European Patent 2109934 “Personalized sound system hearing profile selection” has been granted to HIMPP.
August 20, 2019
US Patent 10390155 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
July 2, 2019
US Patent 10341791 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
June 1, 2019
European Patent Attorney Hans Jørgen Rindorf joins HIMPP in support of our increasing activities.
May 7, 2019
US Patent 10284998 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
July 18, 2018
European Patent 2596620 “Method of remotely controlling an ear-level device functional element” has been granted to HIMPP.
May 30, 2018
European Patent 1216599 “Producing and storing hearing profiles and customized audio data” has been granted to HIMPP.
April 19, 2018
A new HIMPP Code of Conduct has been ratified. A complete review of HIMPPs compliance with US Antitrust laws and European competition law has been carried out during 2017 and the first part of 2018 by leading law firms in antitrust and competition law in both US and Europe. HIMPP was found to be compliant in all governing agreements and procedures. In an effort to secure continued compliance, some of the procedures already governing the co-operation have now been explicitly mentioned in our updated Code of Conduct to support day-to-day efforts in maintaining a compliant behavior.
April 19, 2018
CEO of HIMPP Søren Westermann voluntarily resigns after 22 years in service, but remains on the HIMPP Board of Directors. Søren Westermann was part of the small group of initiators of the HIMPP co-operation back in the 90’es and has for more than two decades been one of the key driving factors in the HIMPP efforts to protect the hearing aid space from IP trolling. The mission of HIMPP already back then and still is to secure free competition between the hearing aid manufacturers ultimately to the benefit of the hearing aid users. Søren Westermann will remain closely connected to the HIMPP activities through continued membership on the Board of Directors. The new CEO as of April 19 is former COO of HIMPP Stinus Jeppesen.
March 30, 2018
HIMPP acquires patents from SoundID and SoundHawk. The patents concern personalized hearing aid systems and methods of personalizing hearing aid systems and profiles remotely and in real time and apparatuses for that.
See the SoundID and SoundHawk patents
April 28, 2017
HIMPP acquires patents from Galler. The patents concerns digital hearing aid battery conservation method and apparatus
January 1, 2017:
HIMPP reduces running royalty from 3% to 1%, effective immediately. Partner entry share price will increase from USD1.8 to 2.5 million effective 1 July 2017
June 30, 2016
HIMPP acquires two patent families from AT&T. The patent families concerns the interaction between hearing aids and a cellphone
April 29, 2016
HIMPP acquires a patent from Ruwisch. The patent covers a hearing aid with a user control for adjusting the extent of noise suppresion
April 14, 2016:
HIMPP acquires four patent families from On Semi-conductor. The patents cover hearing aid circuit technology
See the On Semi-conductor patents
July 27, 2015
HIMPP acquires four patent families from HEI, Inc. (Hybrid Electronics). The patents cover hearing aid circuit technology.
June 30, 2015
HIMPP acquires two patent families from Avaya, Inc. The patent families concerns the interaction between hearing aids and a cellphone.
February 13, 2024
HIMPP successfuly
September 29, 2023
HIMPP acquires a small patent family around EP 3 718 316 B1 from Wohlleben. The patents concern streaming of secondary sound sources to hearing aids.
July 25, 2023
HIMPP files two further petitions for Inter Partes Review concerning U.S. Patent No. 10,117,014 and U.S. Patent No. 10,397,688 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patents.
July 15, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,843,853 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patent.
May 11, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,635,385 by German patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patent.
December 27, 2022
HIMPP has acquired a patent family (US10218223) from Japanese conglomerate Nitto Denko on control of hearing aids between an operational state and a charging state. Nitto Denko is a world-renowned manufacturer of batteries and charging solutions, and the patent fit well into the HIMPP portfolio with its specific focus on charging solutions in the hearing aid/OTC device space.
February 8, 2021
HIMPP acquires the entire iHear Medical Inc. patent portfolio. The acquisition of the iHear Medical portfolio is the largest single acquisition by HIMPP, since its foundation 25 years ago in 1996. The iHear Medical portfolio comprises more than 50 granted US patents of more than 60 granted patents globally as well as a number of pending patent applications. The portfolio targets a variety of hearing aid related technologies such as self-hearing-testing, self-fitting, health monitoring and activity tracking via hearing aids. The patents may be licensed by any company, who may benefit from operating under these patents according to our 1% FRAND license program or by joining HIMPP as a full partner.
See the iHear Medical Inc. patents
September 28, 2020
HIMPP acquires the patent portfolio of US wireless earbud manufacturer Acouva Inc.. The patents concern a variety of technologies from bone conduction aided devices to charger cases.
See the Acouva Inc. patents
August 10, 2020
HIMPP acquires patents from ExSilent Research. The patents concern RITE hearing aids with microphones in the ear canal, self-fitting tests and mechanical constructions such as pull members for easy removal of hearing aids from the ear.
See the ExSilent Research patents
Febrary 1, 2020
Stefan Launer is new Chairman of the Board of Directors in HIMPP
Niels Jacobsen resigned from the position as Chairman of the Board, which he held since the foundation of HIMPP in 1996. Stefan Launer takes over his role at the Board.
November 19, 2019
The Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Patent Partnership (HIMPP) and Intellectual Ventures (IV) enter a License Agreement
The Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Patent Partnership (HIMPP) announced today it has entered into an intellectual property license agreement providing HIMPP access to Intellectual Ventures’ (IV’s) patent portfolio within the field of use of Hearing Aids and technologies relating to Hearing Impairment. Non-HIMPP members are invited to join that license agreement through a HIMPP membership or through a HIMPP license on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms without a HIMPP membership. Details on scope and terms can be shared with potential licensees under NDA by contacting HIMPP (info@himpp.info).
The license agreement between HIMPP and IV is on a non-exclusive basis and other licenses to IV’s patent portfolio may therefore be negotiated directly with IV and independent of HIMPP.
October 1, 2019
US Patent 10433074 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
September 4, 2019
European Patent 2109934 “Personalized sound system hearing profile selection” has been granted to HIMPP.
August 20, 2019
US Patent 10390155 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
July 2, 2019
US Patent 10341791 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
June 1, 2019
European Patent Attorney Hans Jørgen Rindorf joins HIMPP in support of our increasing activities.
May 7, 2019
US Patent 10284998 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
July 18, 2018
European Patent 2596620 “Method of remotely controlling an ear-level device functional element” has been granted to HIMPP.
May 30, 2018
European Patent 1216599 “Producing and storing hearing profiles and customized audio data” has been granted to HIMPP.
April 19, 2018
A new HIMPP Code of Conduct has been ratified. A complete review of HIMPPs compliance with US Antitrust laws and European competition law has been carried out during 2017 and the first part of 2018 by leading law firms in antitrust and competition law in both US and Europe. HIMPP was found to be compliant in all governing agreements and procedures. In an effort to secure continued compliance, some of the procedures already governing the co-operation have now been explicitly mentioned in our updated Code of Conduct to support day-to-day efforts in maintaining a compliant behavior.
April 19, 2018
CEO of HIMPP Søren Westermann voluntarily resigns after 22 years in service, but remains on the HIMPP Board of Directors. Søren Westermann was part of the small group of initiators of the HIMPP co-operation back in the 90’es and has for more than two decades been one of the key driving factors in the HIMPP efforts to protect the hearing aid space from IP trolling. The mission of HIMPP already back then and still is to secure free competition between the hearing aid manufacturers ultimately to the benefit of the hearing aid users. Søren Westermann will remain closely connected to the HIMPP activities through continued membership on the Board of Directors. The new CEO as of April 19 is former COO of HIMPP Stinus Jeppesen.
March 30, 2018
HIMPP acquires patents from SoundID and SoundHawk. The patents concern personalized hearing aid systems and methods of personalizing hearing aid systems and profiles remotely and in real time and apparatuses for that.
See the SoundID and SoundHawk patents
April 28, 2017
HIMPP acquires patents from Galler. The patents concerns digital hearing aid battery conservation method and apparatus
January 1, 2017:
HIMPP reduces running royalty from 3% to 1%, effective immediately. Partner entry share price will increase from USD1.8 to 2.5 million effective 1 July 2017
June 30, 2016
HIMPP acquires two patent families from AT&T. The patent families concerns the interaction between hearing aids and a cellphone
April 29, 2016
HIMPP acquires a patent from Ruwisch. The patent covers a hearing aid with a user control for adjusting the extent of noise suppresion
April 14, 2016:
HIMPP acquires four patent families from On Semi-conductor. The patents cover hearing aid circuit technology
See the On Semi-conductor patents
July 27, 2015
HIMPP acquires four patent families from HEI, Inc. (Hybrid Electronics). The patents cover hearing aid circuit technology.
June 30, 2015
HIMPP acquires two patent families from Avaya, Inc. The patent families concerns the interaction between hearing aids and a cellphone.
February 13, 2024
HIMPP successfuly
September 29, 2023
HIMPP acquires a small patent family around EP 3 718 316 B1 from Wohlleben. The patents concern streaming of secondary sound sources to hearing aids.
July 25, 2023
HIMPP files two further petitions for Inter Partes Review concerning U.S. Patent No. 10,117,014 and U.S. Patent No. 10,397,688 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patents.
July 15, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,843,853 by German software and patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patent.
May 11, 2023
HIMPP files a petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,635,385 by German patent licensing operation Bragi GmbH to challenge the validity of the patent.
December 27, 2022
HIMPP has acquired a patent family (US10218223) from Japanese conglomerate Nitto Denko on control of hearing aids between an operational state and a charging state. Nitto Denko is a world-renowned manufacturer of batteries and charging solutions, and the patent fit well into the HIMPP portfolio with its specific focus on charging solutions in the hearing aid/OTC device space.
February 8, 2021
HIMPP acquires the entire iHear Medical Inc. patent portfolio. The acquisition of the iHear Medical portfolio is the largest single acquisition by HIMPP, since its foundation 25 years ago in 1996. The iHear Medical portfolio comprises more than 50 granted US patents of more than 60 granted patents globally as well as a number of pending patent applications. The portfolio targets a variety of hearing aid related technologies such as self-hearing-testing, self-fitting, health monitoring and activity tracking via hearing aids. The patents may be licensed by any company, who may benefit from operating under these patents according to our 1% FRAND license program or by joining HIMPP as a full partner.
See the iHear Medical Inc. patents
September 28, 2020
HIMPP acquires the patent portfolio of US wireless earbud manufacturer Acouva Inc.. The patents concern a variety of technologies from bone conduction aided devices to charger cases.
See the Acouva Inc. patents
August 10, 2020
HIMPP acquires patents from ExSilent Research. The patents concern RITE hearing aids with microphones in the ear canal, self-fitting tests and mechanical constructions such as pull members for easy removal of hearing aids from the ear.
See the ExSilent Research patents
Febrary 1, 2020
Stefan Launer is new Chairman of the Board of Directors in HIMPP
Niels Jacobsen resigned from the position as Chairman of the Board, which he held since the foundation of HIMPP in 1996. Stefan Launer takes over his role at the Board.
November 19, 2019
The Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Patent Partnership (HIMPP) and Intellectual Ventures (IV) enter a License Agreement
The Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Patent Partnership (HIMPP) announced today it has entered into an intellectual property license agreement providing HIMPP access to Intellectual Ventures’ (IV’s) patent portfolio within the field of use of Hearing Aids and technologies relating to Hearing Impairment. Non-HIMPP members are invited to join that license agreement through a HIMPP membership or through a HIMPP license on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms without a HIMPP membership. Details on scope and terms can be shared with potential licensees under NDA by contacting HIMPP (info@himpp.info).
The license agreement between HIMPP and IV is on a non-exclusive basis and other licenses to IV’s patent portfolio may therefore be negotiated directly with IV and independent of HIMPP.
October 1, 2019
US Patent 10433074 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
September 4, 2019
European Patent 2109934 “Personalized sound system hearing profile selection” has been granted to HIMPP.
August 20, 2019
US Patent 10390155 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
July 2, 2019
US Patent 10341791 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
June 1, 2019
European Patent Attorney Hans Jørgen Rindorf joins HIMPP in support of our increasing activities.
May 7, 2019
US Patent 10284998 “Hearing augmentation systems and methods” has been granted to HIMPP.
July 18, 2018
European Patent 2596620 “Method of remotely controlling an ear-level device functional element” has been granted to HIMPP.
May 30, 2018
European Patent 1216599 “Producing and storing hearing profiles and customized audio data” has been granted to HIMPP.
April 19, 2018
A new HIMPP Code of Conduct has been ratified. A complete review of HIMPPs compliance with US Antitrust laws and European competition law has been carried out during 2017 and the first part of 2018 by leading law firms in antitrust and competition law in both US and Europe. HIMPP was found to be compliant in all governing agreements and procedures. In an effort to secure continued compliance, some of the procedures already governing the co-operation have now been explicitly mentioned in our updated Code of Conduct to support day-to-day efforts in maintaining a compliant behavior.
April 19, 2018
CEO of HIMPP Søren Westermann voluntarily resigns after 22 years in service, but remains on the HIMPP Board of Directors. Søren Westermann was part of the small group of initiators of the HIMPP co-operation back in the 90’es and has for more than two decades been one of the key driving factors in the HIMPP efforts to protect the hearing aid space from IP trolling. The mission of HIMPP already back then and still is to secure free competition between the hearing aid manufacturers ultimately to the benefit of the hearing aid users. Søren Westermann will remain closely connected to the HIMPP activities through continued membership on the Board of Directors. The new CEO as of April 19 is former COO of HIMPP Stinus Jeppesen.
March 30, 2018
HIMPP acquires patents from SoundID and SoundHawk. The patents concern personalized hearing aid systems and methods of personalizing hearing aid systems and profiles remotely and in real time and apparatuses for that.
See the SoundID and SoundHawk patents
April 28, 2017
HIMPP acquires patents from Galler. The patents concerns digital hearing aid battery conservation method and apparatus
January 1, 2017:
HIMPP reduces running royalty from 3% to 1%, effective immediately. Partner entry share price will increase from USD1.8 to 2.5 million effective 1 July 2017
June 30, 2016
HIMPP acquires two patent families from AT&T. The patent families concerns the interaction between hearing aids and a cellphone
April 29, 2016
HIMPP acquires a patent from Ruwisch. The patent covers a hearing aid with a user control for adjusting the extent of noise suppresion
April 14, 2016:
HIMPP acquires four patent families from On Semi-conductor. The patents cover hearing aid circuit technology
See the On Semi-conductor patents
July 27, 2015
HIMPP acquires four patent families from HEI, Inc. (Hybrid Electronics). The patents cover hearing aid circuit technology.
June 30, 2015
HIMPP acquires two patent families from Avaya, Inc. The patent families concerns the interaction between hearing aids and a cellphone.