Context: InterDigital and Sony have had a relationship in the IP space that goes as far as at least 2013, when the two signed a patent licensing agreement and a joint venture in IoT and 5G research, named Convida Wireless. The companies renewed the agreement and the JV four years ago (January 1, 2022 InterDigital press). InterDigital and Sony also administer the equivalent of a two-company patent pool that licenses key technologies such as ATSC 3.0, HEVC, VVC, and WiFi (with the former being the active manager) since 2018. The companies signed up Samsung in 2024 (January 16, 2024 ip fray article) and LG Electronics last month (January 20, 2026 ip fray article).
What’s new: InterDigital and Sony have renewed their patent licensing agreement, now bringing them to the 13-year mark. The deal covers all of Sony’s end-user devices under InterDigital’s global patent portfolio, including the latter’s cellular, WiFi, and video standard-essential patents (SEPs).
Direct impact and wider ramifications: The patents asserted in InterDigital’s patent infringement enforcement campaign against Hisense and TCL in the Unified Patent Court, Germany, Brazil, India (February 10, 2026 ip fray article), and the U.S. (February 12, 2026 ip fray article) are from the company’s joint TV licensing program with Sony. The company’s assertion indicates it is keen to get more major licensees to sign up alongside Samsung and LG Electronics, and its announcement today confirms the two want to maintain a united front as licensors in the market.Â
In a statement today, InterDigital’s Chief Licensing Officer, Julia Mattis, said Sony is a long-term licensee and the company is “delighted” to have renewed its agreement with “such a world-renowned technology company”.
The deal is a “further demonstration” of how InterDigital’s innovation drives the connected world across a wide range of devices – from the smartphone in your pocket, to the laptop on your desk, and the connected TV and gaming console in your living room, Ms. Mattis added.