Level 3 Signs Patent Cross-License Agreement With IBM

Level 3 Communications and IBM have announced that they have entered into a long-term patent cross-license agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, IBM has granted Level 3 licenses to IBM’s approximately 42,000 pending and issued patents which cover a broad range of telecommunications services and technologies.

In turn, Level 3 has granted IBM licenses to those of its more than 850 pending and issued patents which cover a more information handling systems. The licenses will last as long as the lives of the respective patents.

Jack Waters, chief technology officer of Level 3 Communications, said: “We have long admired IBM’s legacy of innovation. This patent cross-license agreement provides Level 3 the opportunity to take advantage of IBM’s innovation as we continuously expand the range of services we provide our customers.”