Nokia sues Apple over wireless patent dispute
updated 11:35 am EDT, Thu October 22, 2009
Nokia says iPhone violates GSM, 3G patents
Nokia on Thursday sued Apple in a Delaware court for allegedly infringing on ten wireless patents. The claim argues that all iPhones violate patents held by Nokia for GSM calling, 3G data and Wi-Fi as well as security. The Finnish company contends that its patents are recognized as key to cellphones and that Apple is enjoying a "free ride" by exploiting technology Nokia has supposedly developed.
"The basic principle in the mobile industry is that those companies who contribute in technology development to establish standards create intellectual property, which others then need to compensate for," Nokia Legal and IP vice president Ilkka Rahnasto says. "Apple is also expected to follow this principle."
Apple has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
Nokia's lawsuit is already regarded as retaliation against Apple for its success in the phone marketplace. The former posted a $1.36 billion loss in its summer quarter as it shipped both fewer phones and shifted to less expensive phones. In smartphones, it has seen its share fall to 35 percent due partly to the iPhone and has had only mild success with its touchscreen devices: it sold 2 million N97s in three months where Apple sold 7.4 million iPhones in a similar amount of time.
Make your own product
10/22, 11:54am reply
Nokia seem to be incapable of making a good device themselves so they now try to sue to stop a competitor. Cheap!
Parky
Mac Elite
Joined: Oct 1999
Well
10/22, 11:55am reply
At least no one can complain that they're just a patent-collecting company looking to sue people...
And they didn't file suit in Texas, either!
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
guess...
10/22, 12:11pm reply
if you can't beat 'em...sue 'em...
Bermy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2006
Sue Sue Sue!
10/22, 12:23pm (1 reply) reply
I guess Nokia would rather put money into lawsuits than R&D.
JuanGuapo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
Three certainties
10/22, 12:28pm reply
Well that makes three certainties: Death, Taxes and Lawsuits. Guess I should have been a mortician, an accountant or a lawyer!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
smell that?
10/22, 12:50pm reply
I can smell the reek of desperation in Finland, all the way over here in North America.
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Ha
10/22, 01:32pm reply
Fanboys complaining about a company commencing a lawsuit? Are pigs flying? You think Nokia was (still is?) the cell phone leader for years without compiling a large arsenal of patents? Come on. You guys really need to pick a stance on an issue. This is getting out of hand.
Not to mention, lawsuits don't cost anything of the firm is working on contingency basis...
luckyday
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008
Is it just Apple?
10/22, 01:48pm reply
So am I to understand that all the other makers of phones using GSM voice, data, and WiFi have all paid Nokia for the privilege? This line, "The basic principle in the mobile industry....." is interesting, and seems to infer they are getting paid by everyone else (as they are established mobile phone makers) except Apple (the new kid on the block that doesn't not it's way around). If Apple has just failed to license the correct patents that everyone else as paid, well, then yes, Apple needs to pay. But if other companies are not paying Nokia for the privilege, then their motivation is clear.
slider
Mac Elite
Joined: Oct 1999
I was wondering the same
10/22, 02:31pm reply
It's hard to believe that Palm can afford to pay up for the Pre but Apple can't.
peter02l
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2009
Bad move
10/22, 02:41pm reply
Apple holds patents on hundreds of GUI inventions and conceptions that I'm sure Nokia uses. They're totally boned in a patent war.
King Bob On The Cob
Mac Elite
Joined: Apr 2002