Announcement PDF ION Video Ltd (ASX:IOV) Freedom to Operate Clears Path for New Patent Melbourne, Australia, 17 March 2026: ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ("ION" or "the Company") advises that it has received an independent Freedom to Operate patent search and analysis from Alder IP Pty Ltd, confirming that ION’s Tokenised Virtual Video Delivery System and Method can be commercialised in key jurisdictions with low identified infringement risk when implemented as described in the Company’s provisional filings. Highlights ●​ Independent Freedom to Operate search completed by Alder IP in the United States, Europe, Australia and at the international PCT level, focused on the Tokenised Virtual Video Delivery System and Method. ●​ No existing granted patent was identified that claims the integrated virtualisation engine, AI orchestration layer, tokenised governance and secure resolution architecture described in ION’s Claim 1; all key prior art examples were assessed as low or, at worst, manageable risk. ●​ The analysis confirms that the Netflix, Sandpiper, Ericsson and other cited patents address traditional streaming or authentication problems and do not cover ION’s programmable video assembly, cryptographic video token, hardware‑attested resolution or content wallet model. ●​ ​ Taken together with Alder IP’s earlier novelty and inventive‑step opinion, the Freedom to Operate work provides ION with a coherent legal position: the new patent is both patentable and capable of being deployed commercially without infringing the closest known prior art, when implemented as disclosed. ●​ This assessment supports ION’s strategy to license its infrastructure globally and underpins ongoing partner discussions and technical validation work. ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ Background: Tokenised Virtual Video System ION’s Tokenised Virtual Video Delivery System and Method is designed to solve the problem of how intelligent systems can assemble, govern and monetise video in real time without exposing raw media or duplicating files. At the core of the invention is a shift from file‑based video to reference‑based virtual video: ●​ A virtualisation engine converts rendered video files into metadata‑only reference containers, retaining ISO Base Media File Format structures while removing media sample data. ●​ An AI orchestration layer then modifies the sequencing instructions inside these containers to assemble personalised streams, without ever touching the underlying media samples. ●​ A token issuance service generates cryptographic video tokens that bind consent, licensing, transaction logic and micro‑payment instructions to each resolution event. ●​ A secure resolution service, operating inside a hardware‑attested trusted execution environment, dereferences authorised segments from remote sources only when a valid token is presented, logging each dereference event to an auditable transaction layer. ●​ A playback environment acts as a content wallet, holding multiple tokens from independent content owners, dynamically assembling streams in real time and terminating playback instantly if consent is revoked. ​ This architecture is intended to support the emerging agentic AI era, in which autonomous systems assemble and deliver video on behalf of users and institutions and need a way to enforce rights, consent and commerce at the moment video is resolved. ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video Alder IP Freedom to Operate Search Alder IP conducted a Freedom to Operate search for ION covering patent applications and granted patents in: ●​ The United States ●​ Europe ●​ Australia ●​ PCT applications (WIPO) The search drew on multiple databases, including Patseer, Patentscope, USPTO, Espacenet, Free Patents Online, AusPat and Google Patents, and was anchored on Claim 1 of ION’s provisional specification for Tokenised Virtual Video Delivery System and Method. Freedom to Operate work is different from novelty searching. Novelty analysis asks whether an invention is new and inventive compared to existing disclosures, which underpins the ability to obtain a patent. Freedom to Operate asks a different question: whether making, using or selling the invention would infringe someone else’s existing, in‑force patents in a target market. In this case, Alder IP’s mandate was to identify patents that might limit ION’s ability to deploy its tokenised Virtual Video system commercially in those jurisdictions. Summary of Key Findings Alder IP’s analysis confirms that, while there are patents dealing with aspects of video streaming, authentication and secure delivery, none claim the same combination of features described in ION’s Claim 1. ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video The report highlights three main prior art families as the closest references: 1.​ A Netflix patent relating to improving start‑up times of streaming media by pre‑fetching metadata and licences. 2.​ A Sandpiper CDN patent focused on user authentication inside a content delivery network. 3.​ An Ericsson patent dealing with secure over‑the‑top live video delivery using conventional licence and encryption workflows. In each case, Alder IP concluded that: ●​ ​ The cited patents address traditional streaming or authorisation problems, not programmable virtual video assembly. ●​ None disclose a virtualisation engine that removes media samples while preserving ISO structures, combined with an AI orchestration layer that resequences content without accessing raw media. ●​ None describe a cryptographic video token acting as an integrated authorisation gatekeeper that binds licensing, consent and micro‑payments to individual segment resolution events. ●​ None teach a secure resolution service restricted to a hardware‑attested trusted execution environment that logs every dereference to an auditable transaction layer, or a playback environment functioning as a multi‑owner content wallet. On that basis, Alder IP assessed the potential infringement risk associated with the closest identified patents as low, provided that ION implements its system in line with the architectural features described in its own filings. The report also notes that some patents have already expired or will expire within standard terms, and that expired rights revert to the public domain. ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ Combined Position with Novelty Opinion On March 10, 2026, ION announced that Alder IP’s novelty search and legal opinion had confirmed that the Tokenised Virtual Video Delivery System and Method meets the tests of novelty and inventive step when assessed against prior art from organisations including Ericsson, Wells Fargo, Snap, AT&T, Genetec and PayPal, across multiple major patent offices. That work established that ION’s integrated architecture, combining virtualisation, AI‑driven sequencing, consent‑governed delivery and micro‑payment settlement at the moment of resolution, is not anticipated by existing disclosures and is therefore patentable. The latest Freedom to Operate analysis complements this by addressing the separate question of commercial deployability. Taken together, the two opinions provide ION with: ●​ Independent confirmation that its new system is both patentable and differentiated. ●​ An external view that, in the target jurisdictions, there is no single existing patent that would prevent ION from launching its tokenised Virtual Video infrastructure, when implemented as described. ●​ A more detailed understanding of where older streaming and authentication patents begin and end, and where ION’s claims sit outside that prior art. This combined legal footing is important as ION moves from describing its architecture to integrating it with partners and commercial platforms. Strategic Implications for ION The Company views this Freedom to Operate outcome as a significant de‑risking step for its tokenised Virtual Video strategy. It supports ION’s plans to: ●​ Progress from provisional filings to PCT and national phase applications with greater confidence in the commercial usability of the invention. ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ●​ Engage with hyperscalers, chip providers, video platforms, agentic AI companies and enterprise partners on pilots and licensing discussions grounded in independent legal analysis. ●​ Position its tokenised Virtual Video system not only as a patentable idea, but as a deployable infrastructure layer for AI and agentic video experiences in the United States, Europe, Australia and beyond. As previously communicated, Finbar O’Hanlon and AJ Palmer are planning a global roadshow across the United States, Europe and the Asia‑Pacific region to meet key decision makers, supported by ION’s work with Canaccord Genuity and its ongoing programme of technical validation and commercial engagement. Further updates on patent prosecution, partner activity and commercial milestones will be provided as material developments occur in line with the Company’s continuous disclosure obligations. Yours Sincerely Anthony Baker​ Chief Executive Officer and Director View the link to the original ASX Announcement: Here https://investors.ion.video/link/eYNVqr ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video ENDS Authorised for release by the Board of Directors For more information, please contact: ION Enquiries: ●​ Anthony Baker - Chief Executive Officer ●​ Email: investor.relations@ion.video ●​ Tel: +61 3 8672 7186 Media & PR Enquiries: ●​ Rod North - Managing Director, Bourse Communications ●​ Email: rod@boursecommunications.com.au ●​ Tel: +61 3 9510 8309 or +61 408 670 706 About ION Video Limited ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) is an infrastructure company that has developed patented technology to virtualise video at the file architecture level, transforming static files into programmable data. Protected by four foundational patents, ION's technology enables intelligent systems to access and compose with existing video content as programmable data, without transcoding. For additional information about ION, please visit www.ion.video Forward-Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements regarding ION's technology, market positioning and strategic priorities. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. This announcement has been prepared in compliance with ASX Listing Rule 3.1 regarding continuous disclosure obligations. ​ ION Video Limited (ASX: IOV) ACN 149 796 332​ Level 2, 161 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 8672 7186 info@ion.video