Licensing

Innovation licensed at global scale​

Innovation licensed at global scale​

Qualcomm’s leading IP in 6G

Qualcomm’s innovations and IP are defining the core of 6G. From proven 5G and 5G‑Advanced foundations that form the foundation of 6G, to new innovations and enhancements that unlock additional capabilities.

R&D Leadership​

Qualcomm is a leading technology innovator and has played a central role in the development and evolution of modern wireless technologies, including 5G. Since our founding, we have invested more than $115 billion in research and development, including nearly 20% of annual revenue since 2006. Our inventors tackle some of the industry's most complex systems-level challenges and pioneer breakthrough technologies years ahead of market deployment—often a decade before commercialization. This sustained commitment to long-term research, coupled with Qualcomm's ability to scale innovations across the global ecosystem, has helped establish the technological foundations for generations of wireless innovation.

Global Leadership in 5G Licensing​

With more than 200 5G licensing agreements, Qualcomm’s 5G inventions are the most widely licensed in the industry. Our industry-leading licensing program includes multiyear patent license agreements covering virtually the entire handset ecosystem, as well as significant portions of the automotive and IoT sectors. Qualcomm invented many of the foundational technologies that make 5G possible, enabling the speed, low latency, reliability, capacity, and scalability that define modern wireless communications. Developed years ahead of commercialization and protected by patents across major markets worldwide, these innovations form the foundation of the world’s leading 5G licensing program.

Unmatched patent portfolio​

Our industry-leading patent portfolio represents the collective efforts of our world-class engineers. Our portfolio includes foundational cellular essential patents that led 3G, 4G, and 5G, respectively, and valuable implementation inventions that support the commercialization of cellular technologies. We have also developed valuable leading IP across a number of areas foundational to mobile experiences—including RF, position location, processing platform, video compression, imaging, computer vision, voice and audio technologies, Wi-Fi, and AI. Our unmatched portfolio of inventions includes over 200,000 granted and pending patents across more than 100 countries and jurisdictions.

Our approach to intellectual property licensing.

Our global licensing program enables us to share our world-leading inventions with licensees so they can focus on providing the best possible products to their customers. Across more than 300 licensing agreements, over 23B devices have benefitted from licensing Qualcomm’s patents. Our approach is inclusive, flexible, and efficient—encouraging innovation, fostering healthy competition, and continuously driving the advancement of the ecosystem.

View of Earth from space at night showing illuminated cities connected by glowing network lines

Connect with us

Learn more about our IP and IP licensing.

Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world tackle some of its most important challenges. Our leading-edge AI, high performance, low-power computing, and unrivaled connectivity deliver proven solutions that transform major industries. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress.

Stay connected

Get the latest Qualcomm and industry information delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe
Manage your subscription

© Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its affiliated companies.

Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patents are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated.

Note: Certain services and materials may require you to accept additional terms and conditions before accessing or using those items.

References to "Qualcomm" may mean Qualcomm Incorporated, or subsidiaries or business units within the Qualcomm corporate structure, as applicable.

Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business.

Materials that are as of a specific date, including but not limited to press releases, presentations, blog posts and webcasts, may have been superseded by subsequent events or disclosures.

Nothing in these materials is an offer to sell or license any of the services or materials referenced herein.