Qualcomm renews Apple patent license from April 2027

Qualcomm said Thursday it has renewed its global patent-licensing agreement with Apple, with the new arrangement taking effect April 1, 2027. The companies did not disclose the renewed agreement’s duration or financial terms, leaving its potential revenue impact unclear. The renewal concerns rights to Qualcomm’s cellular patents and is separate from the companies’ modem-supply arrangement, according to the reports. Apple has been developing its own cellular modem technology, but the licensing agreement covers patents used in wireless communications, regardless of which company makes a device’s modem. The agreement continues a business relationship that followed a legal dispute. Apple and Qualcomm reached a settlement in 2019, ending litigation over patent royalties and modem supply. Their earlier patent license began April 1, 2019, and Apple exercised a two-year extension that kept it in effect through March 31, 2027. The newly announced renewal is set to begin the following day. Qualcomm did not say how long the renewed license will run. A possible end date of March 31, 2029 has appeared in reporting as speculation, but neither company has confirmed that term.