Nokia to butt heads with Apple over patents?
updated 11:00 am EST, Wed November 28, 2007
Nokia vs Apple Patents
Nokia may encounter a patent dispute with Apple if it pushes ahead with its plan to offer a promised touchscreen phone, according to a report from Nomura analyst Richard Windsor. The financial institution's researcher believes that an upcoming update to the Symbian Series 60 OS used on Nokia's smartphones may infringe on as one or more of Apple's patents for the iPhone, potentially triggering a legal battle . This could be very likely with Apple owning at least 200 patents relating just to its handset, Windsor says.
However, the financial burden and risky nature of such a dispute may see Nokia choose to strike an agreement or reach a settlement sometime during 2009 rather than face the prospect of a costly and risky trial, according to the prediction. Nokia has generally refrained from discussing the similarity between its recent prototype and the iPhone but is widely believed to take direct inspiration from Apple's interface, particularly its photo viewing interface.
nokia is safe
11/28, 12:25pm reply
I don't remeber Apple trolling on its patents nor I see the reason for them to do so.
Of course, total rip off may invite legal actions from Apple.
ViktorCode
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
exciting
11/28, 02:50pm reply
isn't it something else that Apple's very first foray into cell phones, is inspiring Nokia to follow their lead? How long has Nokia been a leader in cellphones, after all!
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
Sue 'em!
11/28, 05:27pm reply
It would be nice to see Apple suing someone else instead of vice-versa.
Eriamjh
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Oct 2001
All the handset companies
11/28, 08:48pm reply
seem to be chasing the Apple iPhone and those companies have been in the handset business for years. It's either those companies had no vision or they just figured they could add some tiny feature every six months and milk the public for the next ten years or so. Let their R&D departments just rest.
I think the handset companies don't even need to chase the iPhone. Not everyone needs a smartphone/full-featured handset. Apple somehow created a false need for people to have these powerful handsets.
Nokia is still the leader and won't relinquish that lead for many years to come if ever. I personally think they're wasting their time and money trying to compete against the iPhone.
Constable Odo
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Joined: Aug 2007
Apple sues
11/29, 10:50am reply
Relatively recently Apple sued Burst, Creative, Thinksecret, Powerpage, and the makers of iGasm. It also probably sends out threatening letter everyday.
You wrote, "It would be nice to see Apple suing someone else instead of vice-versa."
Terrin
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Joined: Jan 2006