Industry giants agree tech access agreement

Huawei and Ericsson have signed a global patent cross-licensing agreement. It covers patents “essential to a wide range of standards,” including 3G, 4G and 5G.

According to a statement, the long-term agreement covers the companies' respective sales of network infrastructure and consumer devices. It grants “both parties global access to each other's patented, standardised technologies.”

Discussing the move, head of Huawei’s intellectual property department, Alan Fan, said: "We are delighted to reach a long-term global cross-licensing agreement with Ericsson.

“As major contributors of standard essential patents for mobile communication, [both] companies recognise the value of each other's intellectual property.”

He continued: “This agreement creates a stronger patent environment. It demonstrates the commitment both parties have forged that intellectual property should be properly respected and protected.

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

According to figures released by Huawei, in 2022 the company topped the European Patent Office's ranking for number of patent applications filed, with 4,505.