Huawei licenses Wi-Fi patents to HP in global cross-licensing deal
Huawei has entered a multiyear global patent cross-licensing agreement with HP, covering certain Wi-Fi technologies. Under the terms, HP gains licenses to Huawei's Wi-Fi patents, while Huawei receives reciprocal patent rights from HP. The financial details and specific patents involved were not disclosed by either company. HP clarified that this deal is a standard essential patent license for Wi-Fi and does not signify a broader strategic partnership or collaboration with Huawei. The agreement follows previous disputes over Wi-Fi 6 patents, including a 2025 lawsuit filed by Huawei against HP, which was resolved when HP joined Sisvel’s Wi-Fi 6 patent pool.
Huawei's cross-licensing deal with HP for Wi-Fi patents reflects a pragmatic approach to intellectual property in a highly standardized technology domain. For Huawei, this agreement, particularly its reciprocal nature, helps to legitimize its extensive patent portfolio in Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7. This is crucial for its global standing, especially as it navigates ongoing geopolitical pressures. From an Asia perspective, this deal underscores the increasing importance of Chinese technology firms like Huawei in setting global standards and owning essential patents. It suggests that even major Western tech players like HP must engage with Huawei's IP to ensure market access and avoid litigation. The thing to watch is how this model of cross-licensing, rather than one-way licensing, becomes more prevalent as Asian companies accumulate more foundational IP across various tech sectors.
