Maxeon and Aiko Announce Patent Licensing Agreement
Rhea-AI Summary
Maxeon (NASDAQ:MAXN) and Aiko on Feb 6, 2026 agreed to a patent licensing deal for Maxeon's Back Contact (BC) solar cell and module patents.
Aiko receives a license to all BC patents outside the United States, covering existing patents and those added over the next five years. Both parties agreed to withdraw and terminate pending and potential enforcement and invalidation actions, aiming to strengthen intellectual property protection and support technological advancement in the solar industry.
Positive
- License granted to Aiko for Maxeon BC patents outside the United States
- License covers existing patents plus patents added over the next five years
- Mutual withdrawal of pending and potential enforcement and invalidation actions
Negative
- License excludes the United States, limiting Aiko's geographic rights
- Maxeon will license patents added over five years, reducing future exclusivity
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
MAXN is up about 3.3% while key solar peers like VVPR (-24.37%), SMXT (-6.87%), SPWR (-4.38%), and FTCI (-4.29%) are down, indicating a stock-specific move tied to this patent licensing agreement.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15 | Patent litigation update | Neutral | -5.4% | Expanded patent infringement actions against Aiko and its distribution network. |
| Sep 30 | Project deployment news | Positive | -5.6% | Announcement of CHEST HQ solar installation using Maxeon panels in Illinois. |
| Aug 14 | Earnings results | Negative | +1.5% | First-half 2025 results showing steep revenue drop and sizable net loss. |
Recent news events often showed price moves that diverged from the apparent tone of the announcements.
Over the last few quarters, Maxeon has faced legal, operational, and financial headwinds. On 2025-08-14, it reported first-half 2025 results with sharply lower revenue and significant losses, yet shares rose modestly. A September 2025 project win with CHEST and a December 2025 expansion of patent actions against Aiko both saw subsequent share price declines. Today’s licensing deal and dispute resolution with Aiko ties back to those prior IP conflicts and may mark a shift from litigation toward monetization of its BC patents.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details a patent licensing agreement under which Aiko gains access to Maxeon’s BC solar cell and module patents outside the U.S., including new patents added over the next 5 years. It also ends mutual enforcement and invalidation actions, simplifying Maxeon’s IP landscape after earlier Aiko-related litigation. Investors may track how this agreement interacts with prior restructuring efforts and asset sales outlined in recent 6-K filings, as well as future revenue disclosures tied to BC technology.
Key Terms
intellectual property regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Pursuant to the agreement, Aiko will obtain a license to all of Maxeon's BC solar cell and module patents outside of
The successful conclusion of this patent licensing agreement demonstrates both parties' respect for the value of intellectual property, strengthening intellectual property protection, and promoting technological advancement in the solar industry.
About Maxeon Solar Technologies
Maxeon Solar Technologies (NASDAQ: MAXN) is Powering Positive Change™. Headquartered in Singapore, Maxeon leverages 40 years of solar energy leadership and over 2,000 granted patents to design innovative and sustainably made solar panels and energy solutions for residential, commercial, and power plant customers. For more information about how Maxeon is Powering Positive Change™ visit us at www.maxeon.com, and on LinkedIn.
About AIKO
As a global leader in new energy technology, AIKO (Stock code: 600732.SH) is dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of high-efficiency solar cells and modules. Driven by the mission to "maximize photoelectric conversion efficiency," the company spearheads generational transformations in PV technology through disruptive innovations. With over 180GW of cumulative shipments, AIKO's global presence spans 120 countries and regions. Learn more about AIKO at: www.aikosolar.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our future plans and areas of focus, our positioning and business plans for future success, and our positioning to enforce patent rights. These forward-looking statements are based on our current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may cause results, performance, or achievement to materially differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of these factors and other risks that affect our business is included in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") from time to time, including our most recent report on Form 20-F, particularly under the heading "Item 3.D. Risk Factors." Copies of these filings are available online from the SEC or on the Financials & Filings section of our Investor Relations website https://corp.maxeon.com/financials-filings/sec-filings.
All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information currently available to us, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events.
©2026 Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. MAXEON is a registered trademark of Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. Visit https://corp.maxeon.com/trademarks for more information.
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SOURCE Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd.