T-Mobile USA sued for selling NFC-ready phones

Chip-based smart card maker On Track Innovations has sued T-Mobile USA because it sells phones equipped with NFC chips. OTI claims such phones violate its patents, though why it doesn't sue the makers of the phones themselves or other carriers that sell the very same phones in some cases isn't known. The lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court, though details such as the amount of damages or a licensing agreement sought haven't been revealed.

"We believe in the strength and value of our intellectual property and have the resources to protect it," said OTI Chairman and CEO Oded Bashan. Specifically, OTI's US Patent No. 6,045,043 is at contention.

NFC allows for wireless payments or short-range communications with other handsets and compatible hardware. It has mostly found a home in a handful of Android phones like the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S, although some BlackBerry 7 phones and basic Nokia phones use it as well. [via PhoneScoop]

By Electronista Staff

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industry, Google, nfc, Nokia, lawsuit, Android, BlackBerry, T-Mobile, RIM, mobile phones, Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus, On Track Innovations