U.S.-based HP has entered into a multi-year global licensing agreement with Chinese telecom company Huawei for certain WiFi patents, the companies announced on Wednesday. This development indicates an expansion of Huawei’s influence and technology adoption beyond China, despite the U.S. government blacklisting the company in 2019, which prohibited it from collaborating with American tech suppliers like Google.
The agreement follows a patent dispute involving HP, Huawei, and other firms, leading to a previous arrangement that allowed HP access to a pool of 2,000 patents related to wireless network connectivity. Huawei played a foundational role in establishing this patent pool, known as Sisvel WiFi 6. The recent licensing deal not only allows HP access to Huawei’s technology but also includes reciprocal patent rights from HP, according to Steven Geiszler, who represented Huawei in the negotiations. Geiszler, who previously served as an in-house intellectual property lawyer for Huawei, has now established his own firm, with Huawei as a primary client.
This agreement is significant for both companies, particularly as HP prepares to release its earnings report. The collaboration reflects ongoing shifts in the technology landscape, where international firms navigate complex intellectual property challenges.
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