Ericsson and Huawei extend patent licensing deal

Ericsson and Huawei have agreed to extend a patent licensing deal covering each company’s standard-essential patents (SEPs).

The new agreement, announced today, January 14, covers patents essential to wireless technology, standards including GSM, UMTS and LTE.

Both companies are able to access and implement the other’s patents globally.

Huawei will make a continuing royalty payment to Ericsson. Further details of the agreement have been kept confidential.

Kasim Alfalahi, chief intellectual property officer at Ericsson, said the company was happy to see an extension of the agreement.

“The extension shows our commitment to drive innovation and industry development.”

Jianxin Ding, head of global IP at Huawei, said: “This new agreement reflects the two leading companies’ joint view that innovation and IP rights shall be protected, and reasonable compensation for the implementation of IP rights is vital to promoting technology innovation, sharing and standardising technology.”

At the end of last year Ericsson agreed a global cross-licensing deal with Apple which also covered SEPs. The two also agreed to settle all outstanding patent litigation.