HUAWEI, Ericsson sign patent cross-licensing deal

HUAWEI and Ericsson announced their long-term patent cross-licensing agreement.

HUAWEI P60 Pro file photo

Access to both companies' patented, standardized technologies

In a statement, HUAWEI said its deal with Ericsson covers patents essential to a wide range of standards such as 3GPP, ITU, IEEE, and IETF standards for 3G, 4G, and 5G cellular technologies.

Furthermore, the agreement also includes the companies' respective sales of network infrastructure and consumer devices, granting both parties global access to each other's patented, standardized technologies, it added.

We are delighted to reach a long-term global cross-licensing agreement with Ericsson, said Alan Fan, Head of HUAWEI's Intellectual Property Department. As major contributors of standard essential patents (SEPs) for mobile communication, the companies recognize the value of each other's intellectual property, and this agreement creates a stronger patent environment. It demonstrates the commitment both parties have forged that intellectual property should be properly respected and protected.

HUAWEI said has been a major contributor to mainstream ICT standards, including those for cellular, WiFi, and multimedia codecs in the past 20 years.

Last year, the Chinese firm topped the European Patent Office's applicant ranking for the number of patent applications filed, with 4,505 applications.

Our commitment to sharing leading technological innovations will drive healthy, sustainable industry development and provide consumers with more robust products and services, Fan said.

HUAWEI said it is both a holder and implementer of SEPs and seeks to take a balanced approach to licensing.

The agreement allows HUAWEI to give and receive access to key technologies.

Fan said: "This agreement is the result of intensive discussions that ensured the interests of both patent holders and implementers are served fairly."

What do you think about this?

Source: HUAWEI