Huawei and Qualcomm Sign Sweeping Patent Agreement

Huawei and Qualcomm have signed a sweeping multiyear patent agreement covering a wide range of technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, computing systems, and networking equipment.

The deal is based on cross-licensing patents but includes a unique provision: US-based Qualcomm is directly purchasing from Huawei several US-registered patents related to AI chips and high-performance computing.

This agreement is historically significant because it is the first patent deal between the companies to directly include 5G standards. However, the contract is strictly legal in nature—it governs intellectual property rights and does not lift existing US trade sanctions, which still prohibit Qualcomm from supplying physical processors to Huawei.

For the Chinese giant, whose patent portfolio exceeds 165 thousand active patents worldwide, this deal has strengthened its position as a leader in technology monetization: the total value of all Huawei licensing contracts throughout its history has exceeded $6.9 billion. This alliance ensures that despite geopolitical pressure, the technology sector will continue to develop based on unified global communications standards.