Abilities at Your Disposal
In a move to protect and monetize its extensive 5G patent portfolio, Ericsson has been increasingly enforcing its Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) in various jurisdictions. This aggressive enforcement is particularly noticeable in emerging markets, such as Colombia, where over 45 actions have been initiated against Apple and Lenovo/Motorola in 2022 and 2023.
This strategic push comes as top 5G patent holders like Huawei and Qualcomm intensify the global patent landscape, collectively filing over 57,000 patent families in 2025. Ericsson leverages its strong IP position to exert pressure on implementers and secure licensing revenue in these favorable forums for SEP enforcement.
Geographical Distribution of Patents
Ericsson's geographical distribution of patents highlights its stronghold in established markets and its expanding focus on emerging regions. In Latin America, the company has filed over 4,200 patents in Brazil and nearly 2,000 in Mexico. In Southeast Asia, Ericsson has filed over 100 patents in Indonesia, nearly 300 in the Philippines, and over 1,100 in Malaysia. In Africa, Ericsson has filed nearly 850 patents in South Africa and dozens across ARIPO regions.
The company's IP portfolio comprises over 50,000 European Patents, nearly 50,000 U.S. patents, and nearly 39,000 Asia-Pacific patents. Strategic focus areas for patenting include innovations in mobile network performance measurement and evaluation, techniques for resource allocation in wireless communication networks, advanced methods for monitoring and controlling mobile network standards, energy-efficient wireless systems, and techniques for dynamic channel management.
Adaptive IP Management
Ericsson's adaptive IP management ensures its continued leadership in an intensely competitive industry. The company strategically deploys fast-track patent applications and optimizes internal prosecution. Ericsson's agility is evident in its ability to amend claims in over a thousand instances to advance prosecution.
In addition, Ericsson adapts its prosecution strategies based on examiner characteristics, leveraging insights into examiner grant rates to optimize its IP investment. The company engages with Sage Patent Group in the United States, China Science Patent & Trademark Agent Ltd. in China, and Haseltine Lake Kempner LLP in Europe for its legal proceedings.
Litigation Trends
Between 2018 and 2023, Ericsson was involved in over 80 patent litigation cases, with nearly 70 cases, representing over 85%, being resolved through settlements or voluntary dismissals. The involvement of operating companies in litigations against Ericsson surged from less than 8% to approximately 35% during the same periods.
Ericsson has shown a strategic inclination to challenge the validity of asserted patents through avenues like Inter Partes Review (IPR). Conversely, the company's focus on assertive litigation and licensing strategies in regions with robust patent enforcement systems, such as Colombia, indicates a shift toward more direct legal approaches to protecting and monetizing its intellectual property rights.
Global Innovation Footprint
Ericsson's global innovation footprint is a testament to its diversified R&D efforts. Contributions to the company's patent portfolio come from inventors based in the United States, China, Canada, and Finland.
As a global leader in the telecommunications industry, specializing in 5G technology, wireless networks, and IoT connectivity, Ericsson continues to strategically focus its patent filings on areas such as wireless communication and networking technologies, network systems and device management, and advanced networking protocols and technologies.
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- In an effort to capitalize on its vast 5G patent portfolio, Ericsson is actively investing in finance and technology to strengthen its position in the global business landscape, especially in emerging markets.
- With the aggressive enforcement of its Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) in various jurisdictions, and a significant number of patent filings in key regions like Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, Ericsson is demonstrating a clear focus on expanding its technology-driven business, while simultaneously protecting its finance interests through licensing revenue.
