Jim Harlan

Senior Advisor
The Standard Strategy

Jim Harlan is an independent policy and licensing consultant specializing in SEP (standard-essential patents), FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non‑discriminatory) licensing, standards development, and competition policy. Previously a senior licensing executive at InterDigital (joining in 2015), he represented the company in mobile licensing negotiations and led efforts at the intersection of FRAND, SEP, and global standards. As of mid‑2025, he has transitioned to independent practice, guiding clients through SEP licensing program design and FRAND compliance across regulatory environments. Recognized in the 2025 IAM Strategy 300 for his leadership in licensing negotiation, policy development, and standards strategy, Jim remains an active voice in policy debates, most recently expressing concern that evolving SEP regulation may increase complexity and hinder implementation.