Qualcomm and Huawei Forge Patent Sharing Agreement

Huawei and Qualcomm have announced a multiyear agreement to share access to parts of their patent portfolios, which includes the American chipmaker purchasing selected US patents from Huawei. This deal, announced on October 5, covers technologies related to 5G, artificial intelligence, computing, and networking.

The transaction will be finalized after obtaining necessary regulatory approvals. The arrangement allows both companies to utilize each other's inventions while maintaining competition in the technology sector.

The deal combines cross-licensing, which allows the use of patented inventions while ownership remains with the patent holder, with a patent purchase that transfers ownership of specific patents. Qualcomm will acquire certain US patents from Huawei related to computing, AI, and networking.

John Han, executive vice president and general manager of Qualcomm Technology Licensing, stated that the agreement acknowledges Huawei's innovation and intellectual property in 5G and other technology fields. The companies assert that their licensing approach adheres to fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory principles, known as FRAND.