Patent licensing
Build on our patents to make innovative products
For more than 30 years, we have been pushing the boundaries of what's possible in communication. Nokia has defined many of the fundamental technologies used in virtually all mobile devices and taken a leadership role in open standardization. Today, our inventions power entire industries such as smartphones, consumer electronics, video and multimedia services, automotive and the wider Internet of Things (IoT) domain.
Since 2000 Nokia has invested over €140bn in research and development (R&D), and our annual investment is more than €4bn. As a result, we have built one of the broadest and strongest patent portfolios in the telecommunications industry with around 20,000 patent families (each family can comprise several individual patents).
We own a leading share of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) in every generation of cellular standards with over 6,000 patent families declared as essential to 5G. Our patented inventions also cover significant multimedia technologies, particularly in the field of video compression.
As one of the first companies in the world, Nokia has achieved the highly respected ISO 9001 certification for our high-quality patent portfolio management.
Nokia’s inventions are implemented into a billion new devices every year
"The best way to predict the future is to create it"
Innovation is the start of everything. All it takes is one idea to change the world. Nokia develops the fundamental technologies that shape the future. Watch our inventors tell their innovation stories.
invested in R&D since 2000, including €4.5bn+ in 2022 alone
patent families, of which more than 6,000 declared essential for 5G
inventions on which patents were filed in 2022
Patent licensing works
Patent licensing enables companies to share innovation and collaborate to drive future opportunities together
The licensing of global cellular standards and other technologies has enabled tremendous innovation, consumer choice and industry growth. Standardized technologies allow products manufactured by different companies to communicate seamlessly with each other. Open standardization also enables new market entrants to develop standardized, interoperable products without having to make their own substantial investments in R&D.
In return licensees pay royalty fees for the use of our technology, which we re-invest, along with additional investment, in developing the next generation of inventions.
Our team can help you to enter into a licensing agreement for the patented technology you need.
We have dedicated licensing programs for mobile devices, multimedia (including sub-programs for consumer electronics and video services), and IoT (including sub-programs for automotive and IoT devices). We currently have around 200 licensees, licensed through our patent licensing programs.
Leading the move to 5G-Advanced and 6G
With our cutting-edge work in standardization and our leading 5G patent portfolio, we are driving the delivery of the next generation of cellular connectivity, including 5G Advanced and 6G.
5G standard
With over 6,000 5G patent families, Nokia leads the market with fundamental inventions in 5G connectivity and services.
5G-Advanced: Expand and transform your connected world
5G-Advanced: Expand and transform your connected world
What is 6G
6G will not only build on existing technologies, it will radically transform what a network can do. We believe it will liberate human potential, inclusively and sustainably.
Find out more
If you have any queries about licensing our patents in your products, or if your industry is not represented above, please contact us.