Apple Settles WIth Nokia On Patent Dispute, Apple Pays!

Apple vs Nokia http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Apple has settled the patent dispute with Nokia and have agreed to pay Nokia one time payment and on going royalties. This settles all the cases, the wide ranging patent dispute cases both in the United States and Europe. The patent dispute between Nokia and Apple started in 2009 and Apple even went on to say that "Nokia copied iPhone!"
Following is the press release by Nokia;

Published June 14, 2011

Apple payments to Nokia settle all litigation and have positive financial impact

Nokia Corporation
Stock exchange release
June 14, 2011 at 08:05 (CET +1)

Espoo, Finland - Nokia announced that it has signed a patent license agreement with Apple. The agreement will result in settlement of all patent litigation between the companies, including the withdrawal by Nokia and Apple of their respective complaints to the US International Trade Commission.

The financial structure of the agreement consists of a one-time payment payable by Apple and on-going royalties to be paid by Apple to Nokia for the term of the agreement.  The specific terms of the contract are confidential.

"We are very pleased to have Apple join the growing number of Nokia licensees," said Stephen Elop, president and chief executive officer of Nokia. "This settlement demonstrates Nokia's industry leading patent portfolio and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities in the mobile communications market."

During the last two decades, Nokia has invested approximately EUR 43 billion in research and development and built one of the wireless industry's strongest and broadest IPR portfolios, with over 10,000 patent families.  Nokia is a world leader in the development of handheld device and mobile communications technologies, which is also demonstrated by Nokia's strong patent position.

This agreement is expected to have a positive financial impact on Nokia's recently revised outlook for the second quarter 2011 of around break-even non-IFRS operating margin for Devices & Services.

About Nokia
Nokia is committed to connecting people to what matters to them by combining advanced mobile technology with personalized services. More than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia, from our most affordable voice-optimized mobile phones to advanced Internet-connected smartphones sold in virtually every market in the world. Through Ovi (www.ovi.com), people also enjoy access to maps and navigation on mobile, a rapidly expanding applications store, a growing catalog of digital music, free email and more. Nokia's NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, and Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the leading providers of telecommunications infrastructure hardware, software and professional services globally.

Nokia via FOSS Patents

Apple Nokia Legal Battles Will Start This Week

#Apple #Nokia Legal Battles http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Nokia and Apple will present their arguments for the patents they own and the other violated to the ITC, International Trade Commission this week.
(The International Trade Commission, a quasi-judicial agency, was set up to protect domestic markets from unfair trade practices. It has the power to ban imports of products found to infringe U.S. patents.)
Lawyer talking to Bloomberg thinks it is a contest between 800 pound gorillas;
“These are very well-known, deep-pocketed, high-end manufacturers, Usually you have one 800-pound gorilla going after a new entrant. Here you’ve got 800-pound gorillas fighting each other.” ” said Lyle Vander Schaaf, an attorney at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione in Washington, who handles cases before the commission.
Nokia sued Apple and Apple counter sued Nokia  in 2009. Nokia also had the first chance to present it's case to ITC.
“Apple was a decade late to market for mobile phones, You can undercut competition when you use the inventions of others.” said Patrick Flinn, a lawyer at Alston & Bird who represents Nokia,  in opening arguments today in Washington.
Apple also has other cases against HTC and Motorola in front of ITC, perhaps a part of battle to stem the growth of Android, the world's most popular mobile operating system.
You can read more about these legal battle at BloombergBW.