Ericsson said it has signed a multi-year, global patent licence agreement with Apple, with also a cross-licence relating to patented cellular standard-essential technologies and grants to certain other patent rights. With the deal, both companies have agreed to drop all pending patent lawsuits, including one in the US District Court of the Eastern District of Texas and the other before the US International Trade Commission. Instead, Ericsson and Apple said they will strengthen their technology and business collaboration, including in technology, inter-operability and standards development.

Ericsson had filed a patent lawsuit against Apple in Texas in January, prompting Apple to countersue later that month. The companies have been embroiled in patent lawsuits for some time after their previous licensing deal signed in 2015 expired. Apple noted in January however, that it would be willing to withdraw its lawsuit and legal actions if Ericsson did so as well. 

Ericsson said it was pleased with the agreement. The company added that it now expects its IPR licensing revenues for the fourth quarter at around R9.4 billion, including the effects of the agreement with Apple covering sales from 15 January 2022.

The company said other factors may still weigh on the revenues, namely expired patent license agreements pending renewal, the technology shift from 4G to 5G, and possible currency effects and geopolitical impacts going forward.