SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Worldwide IT leader Cisco and the once-popular smartphone maker BlackBerry are the latest to sign a long-term patent cross-licensing agreement.
The companies made the announcement last week.
As part of the cross-licensing deal, which covers their respective products and technologies, BlackBerry will receive a license fee from Cisco.
More specific terms of the agreement, which is designed to help the companies avoid costly litigation, are confidential.
“Our agreement with Cisco underscores the value companies place on BlackBerry’s broad and foundational patent portfolio,” said Dr. Mark Kokes, vice president of intellectual property and licensing for BlackBerry.
“With the agreement in place, BlackBerry and Cisco can focus on innovation and continued technical cooperation, allowing our companies more freedom to create leading products and services for customers without the potential for patent disputes.”
Dan Lang, vice president of intellectual property for Cisco, agreed.
Lang said cross-licensing is an effective way for companies to assure freedom of operation and help remove concerns about lawsuits.
“This agreement recognizes Cisco’s patent portfolio, one that is regularly rated among the strongest in the telecommunications and networking industry,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to innovate to meet the needs of our respective customers.”
Cisco signed similar deals with other technology companies, including Samsung and Google, last year.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at patents@legalnewsline.com.