The evolution of Nokia’s business over the years has been nothing short of remarkable; from rubber boots and tires to cell phones, and now to patent infringement claims. Ok, perhaps Nokia’s transition from cell phone maker to legal beagle is still in its infancy, but newly filed complaints against Apple in the U.K., Germany and the Netherlands will certainly help the company transition to its new business model. The 13 new complaints are in addition to 24 allegedly infringed patents Nokia is already suing Apple for in the U.S. — Apple might have more apps in the App Store than Nokia has in the Ovi Store, but Nokia has way more patent infringement claims. Hit the break for Nokia’s press release, and we can all look forward to revisiting this fascinating topic when Apple inevitably adds new claims onto its current complaint against Nokia. Hey, lawyers have to eat too, right?
Nokia files patent infringement complaints against Apple in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands
Espoo, Finland – Nokia announced it has filed claims in the UK High Court, Dusseldorf and Mannheim District Courts in Germany and the District Court of the Hague, Netherlands, alleging that Apple infringes Nokia patents in many of its products sold in these countries, including iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
“These actions add 13 further Nokia patents to the 24 already asserted against Apple in the US International Trade Commission and the Delaware and Wisconsin Federal courts,” said Paul Melin, vice president, Intellectual Property at Nokia. “The Nokia inventions protected by these patents include several which enable compelling user experiences. For example, using a wiping gesture on a touch screen to navigate content, or enabling access to constantly changing services with an on-device app store, both filed more than ten years before the launch of the iPhone.”
Nokia’s filing in the UK covers 4 Nokia patents related to touch user interface, on-device app stores, signal noise suppression and modulator structures.
Nokia’s filing in Dusseldorf, Germany covers 7 Nokia patents related to touch user interface, antenna structures, messaging functionality and chipsets.
Nokia’s filing in Mannheim, Germany covers 5 Nokia patents related to on-device app stores, caller ID, display illumination and the integration of multiple radios.
Nokia’s filing in the Hague, Netherlands covers 2 Nokia patents related to signal noise suppression and data card functionality.
None of the asserted patents have been declared essential to any wireless communication standard.
During the last two decades, Nokia has invested approximately EUR 40 billion in research and development and built one of the wireless industry’s strongest and broadest IPR portfolios, with around 11,000 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.
