Sony to transfer over 400 global VR patents to Meta
Sony has agreed to transfer 419 global VR patents to Meta, according to reports from ZDNet Korea. The agreement, signed in December 2025, covers 180 patents filed in the US, with the remaining patents registered in Japan, China, Korea, Europe, and other regions.
The transfer of intellectual property has already begun: between June and September this year, Sony moved more than 40 patents to Meta. These patents encompass virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and head-mounted display (HMD) systems.
This move coincides with a perceived shift in Sony's engagement with the VR market. Following the February 2023 launch of PSVR 2—which sold 600,000 units in its first six weeks—the company has signaled a change in direction. Notably, Sony will skip next year's CES for the first time since 1967, stating its focus has shifted toward entertainment, intellectual property, and creator-oriented technologies.
For Meta, acquiring these patents comes at a critical time for its Reality Labs division. Despite plans to launch new VR glasses in Spring 2027, the division has faced significant financial pressure, reporting $19.2 billion in losses for FY25. This follows a series of restructuring efforts, including a 10% workforce reduction and the closure of studios such as Twisted Pixel Games, Sanzaru Games, and Armature Studio.
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