Sharp has engaged in licensing activity of standard essential patents (SEPs) for wireless communication technologies to global companies in the telecommunication field. Sharp holds more than 6,000 patents related to 5G SEPs.
On November 27, 2023, Sharp and Huawei Technologies, a Chinese telecom giant, announced that the two companies signed a cross-licensing agreement on SEPs for their 4G and 5G technologies. In the announcement, this agreement helps the companies to accelerate their cooperation on SEPs as part of their initiatives for standardization of technology worldwide. Huawei leads in cutting edge technology for standardization of 5G high-speed and high capacity communications. This cross-licensing agreement allows the both companies to utilize SEPs for telecommunication including each other’s 5G technologies. In their press release, Sharp stated that ”… This agreement reflects that both parties respect the high values of each intellectual property.” Huawei also reiterated their gratitude for finalizing the agreement and stated that “…Advanced technical standards enhance user experience, promote competition and reduce device and service cost.”
Furthermore, on January 26, 2024, Sharp and Motorola Mobility LLC, the U.S.-based telecommunication company, announced that they signed a cross-licensing agreement on wireless communication technologies. In the announcement, Sharp will continue engaging in licensing activity of SEPs to other global companies under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions.
SEPs are essential patents for implementing standardization of technologies in the wireless telecommunication field. Now that the situation surrounding SEP licensing negotiations has been changed, the JPO reviewed “Guidelines to Licensing Negotiations involving Standard Essential Patents” in June 2022. Please refer to the website below.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/system/laws/rule/guideline/patent/document/rev-seps-tebiki/guide-seps-en.pdf