Today, Nokia announced the signing of a significant 5G patent license agreement with HONOR, encompassing the essential inventions in 5G and various cellular technologies for both companies. This marks Nokia’s fourth major smartphone agreement in the past 12 months, solidifying its position as a notable player in the realm of patent licensing.
With an emphasis on its “industry-leading patent portfolio,” Nokia asserts its ownership of around 20,000 patent families, with over 6,000 declared as essential to 5G.
Despite Nokia’s growing prominence in the patent licensing arena, the specific terms of the agreement between Honor and Nokia remain confidential. It’s noteworthy that HONOR has chosen this cooperative approach, contrasting with the legal battles undertaken by its Chinese counterpart Oppo against Nokia, resulting in unfavorable outcomes in certain European regions. The question of whether Oppo may follow a similar path remains open.
In the earlier part of 2023, Nokia extended its cross-license patent agreement with Samsung, followed by a similar extension with Apple in July. With Honor now entering the fold, the prospect of Nokia pursuing legal action for patent infringement, as witnessed in its dealings with Oppo, seems unlikely. Nokia’s strategic engagements in patent agreements continue to shape its role in the rapidly evolving landscape of 5G and cellular technologies.
