The focus on IP in the automotive industry has intensified in many diverse areas. For example, the industry faces issues such as counterfeiting in their branding, while technological convergence means that patent protection and enforcement, licensing and collaboration have become more important than ever. One of the numerous new challenges is the entrance of new and non-traditional companies into the market, such as high-tech companies, that are developing extensive patent portfolios related both to traditional automobile manufacturing and emerging technologies. As in many other industries, the findings confirm that the automotive industry is seeing the activity of non-practicing entities (NPEs) rising. More…