The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has upheld the validity of Zaxcom Inc.’s patents for wireless audio recording technology, citing the company’s receipt of Academy and Emmy awards as evidence of the patents’ significance. This decision reinforces Zaxcom’s position as a leader in the field of professional audio recording.
Zaxcom’s digital recording wireless microphone system has been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2016, the company received an Engineering Emmy Award from the Television Academy for its innovations in digital wireless technology. The following year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Zaxcom with a Technical Achievement Award for the design and engineering of its digital recording wireless microphone system. These accolades highlight the system’s transformative impact on film, television, and broadcast sound.
In March 2026, the Cinema Audio Society presented Zaxcom with the inaugural Jeffrey S. Wexler Award for Advancement in Sound Technology. This award honors individuals, companies, or products whose innovations have significantly improved existing methods or have materially changed how sound is recorded, edited, mixed, or delivered. Glenn Sanders, founder of Zaxcom, and Howie Stark, chief engineer, accepted the award, emphasizing the company’s commitment to advancing audio technology.
The PTAB’s decision to uphold Zaxcom’s patents underscores the importance of these technological advancements in the industry. By recognizing the company’s contributions through prestigious awards, the board acknowledged the significant impact of Zaxcom’s innovations on professional audio recording.