Nokia Sues Apple Over iPhone
Finnish cell phone company, Nokia, the largest mobile phone manufactureer in the world, has sued Apple in federal district court in Delaware today over ten patents which it alleges Apple is infringing on. Nokia staes:
The patents cover wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption and are infringed by all Apple iPhone models shipped since the iPhone was introduced in 2007and which relate to several technologies fundamental to making devices which are compatible with one or more of the GSM, UMTS (3G WCDMA) and wireless LAN standards.
Nokia, said it has invested about [euro]40 billion, nearly $60 billion, in research and development over the last 20 years to acquire its patents. About 40 companies, including “virtually all the leading mobile device vendors,” have licensed those patents. but according to Nokia Apple refuses to comply.
Furthermore, says Ilkka Rahnasto, Nokia’s vice president of legal and intellectual property:
Apple is also expected to follow this principle. By refusing to agree [to] appropriate terms for Nokia’s intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia’s innovation.
Ironically, this suit comes a few days after Apple reported better than expected earnings for the last quarter and Nokia posted its first quarterly loss in a decade amid falling sales which it outright blames on Apple iPhone’s and Blackberry’s sales and popularity.
According to sources, neither Nokia or Apple have commented on the pending lawsuit. It would be difficult to believe that Nokia would not have exhausted every other resource before going against giant, Apple in federal court. it would also be hard to believe that some settlement would not be reached before an actual court date. I d not think that any settlement would hurt Apple financially.
