Google and LG sign a 10 year cross-license patent agreement

Patent disputes have been a constant cause of headaches in the smartphone industry, but at least we know that Google and LG Electronics won’t be hauling each other down to the local courthouse anytime soon. The two technology giants have just announced a long-term global patent cross-licensing agreement.

The agreement doesn’t only cover smartphone patents, it includes a whole range of products and technologies. Given that Google now has its home automation and TV products and that LG has a long history in consumer electronics and is an influential Android partner, it seems like a rather fair deal.

By working together on cross-licenses like this, companies can focus on bringing great products and services to consumers around the world.

The deal includes all existing patents held by each company and extends to cover all patents filed within the next 10 years as well. Google and Samsung signed a similar decade long deal back at the start of 2014, with the aim of proving that cooperation is more beneficial than squabbling.

The two companies have seemingly been on quite good terms since hashing out a deal for LG’s well received Nexus smartphones. This patent agreement indicates that the two giants are happy to continue a mutually beneficial arrangement over the coming years.

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SEOUL and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 5, 2014 — LG Electronics Inc. (LG) and Google Inc. have entered into a long-term patent cross-licensing agreement covering a broad range of products and technologies. The agreement covers the two companies’ existing patents as well as those filed over the next 10 years.

“We’re pleased to enter into this agreement with a leading global technology company like LG,” said Allen Lo, deputy general counsel for patents at Google. “By working together on cross-licenses like this, companies can focus on bringing great products and services to consumers around the world.”

This agreement builds on the long-standing strong alliance between Google and LG Electronics, the companies said.

“LG values its relationship with Google, and this agreement underscores both companies’ commitment to developing new products and technologies that enhance consumers’ lives,” said J.H. Lee, executive vice president and head of the LG Electronics Intellectual Property Center.
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