Nokia and Apple renew 5G SEP licensing deal

Nokia has signed a licensing agreement with Apple that includes access to the Finnish company’s 5G standard-essential patents.

Terms of the agreement are confidential, though Nokia is set to receive payments from Apple for a “multi-year period”.

The deal will replace a current licence between the two that is due to expire at the end of this year. That agreement was announced in 2017.

Jenni Lukander, president of Nokia Technologies, said: “We are delighted to have concluded a long-term patent licence agreement with Apple on an amicable basis.

“The agreement reflects the strength of Nokia’s patent portfolio, decades-long investments in R&D, and contributions to cellular standards and other technologies.”

Nokia’s patent portfolio is built on more than €140 billion ($152.7 billion) invested in R&D since 2000 and is composed of around 20,000 patent families, including more than 5,500 in 5G.

News of the renewed agreement, which came on Friday June 30th, follows another licensing agreement between Nokia and Samsung that was agreed in January this year.

Both agreements were signed without the need for litigation.

Managing IP has contacted Apple for comment.