Vivo and Nokia have announced a multi-year patent cross-licensing agreement, putting an end to their legal battle over 5G technology. This agreement comes shortly after Nokia settled a similar dispute with Oppo, another brand under the BBK Electronics portfolio.
Vivo gains access to Nokia’s cellular technology patents
Under the terms of the agreement, Vivo will gain access to Nokia’s foundational cellular technology patents. However, Vivo will be required to make ongoing payments to Nokia for the use of these patents. These payments will also include “catch-up” fees that will cover the period of the dispute. This agreement settles all outstanding legal matters between the two companies.
Background on the legal conflict
Nokia initiated a legal conflict by claiming that brands under the BBK Electronics portfolio, including Vivo and Oppo, were infringing on 5G wireless communication technology patents. This eventually led to a lawsuit, resulting in a defeat for these smartphone brands in court.
As a consequence of the court ruling, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, and Realme had to withdraw from the German market. However, the recent 5G patent agreement between Oppo, Vivo, and Nokia opens a way for BBK brands to re-enter the German market. In fact, OnePlus has already started selling its latest OnePlus 12 and 12R models in the country.
Quotes from the involved parties
Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, expressed her satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Vivo which reflects mutual respect for each other’s intellectual property rights. We look forward to bringing more innovation to their users around the world through our collaboration.”
Vivo’s General Manager, Xianwen Xu, also expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing the company’s commitment to research and development and providing users with high-tech products.
Vivo’s return to the German market
This agreement is particularly significant as it paves the way for Vivo’s return to the German market, which is a key market for the company. It is worth noting that this is Nokia’s sixth major smartphone licensing agreement in the past 13 months. The company has already signed deals with Apple, Samsung, Oppo, Honor, and Huawei.
