Nokia and Nordic Semiconductor streamline IoT cellular patent licensing

Nokia and Nordic Semiconductor have announced a collaborative approach to the licensing of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) for cellular Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Under the new arrangement, customers purchasing IoT hardware from Nordic Semiconductor will have the option to secure licenses for Nokia’s cellular patent portfolio simultaneously.

This move addresses long-standing industry friction regarding the complex and often opaque process of licensing intellectual property in the IoT space. By bundling the licensing opportunity with the hardware acquisition, the companies aim to increase predictability for manufacturers delivering connected devices and services.

Nokia, which contributes to the global standards for technologies such as LTE-M and NB-IoT, noted that the model provides an alternative to traditional, separate licensing negotiations. While the new framework is designed to facilitate faster agreements, manufacturers retain the option to negotiate licensing deals directly with Nokia.