Nokia responds to Qualcomm’s patent infringement allegations
After yesterday’s news that Qualcomm are suing Nokia for alleged patent infringement, Nokia have come out fighting. Apparently, the press release Qualcomm issued was the first Nokia had heard of it too! Nokia’s press release states “Nokia recently learned from a Qualcomm press release that Qualcomm has filed a complaint for alleged patent infringement against Nokia Corporation and Nokia Inc. in San Diego apparently involving some 12 alleged essential patents. Nokia is yet to receive a copy of the complaint, and analyze the details, and therefore cannot comment on the substantive aspects of the claims.”
Nokia continue: “Nokia is disappointed Qualcomm has taken this step given they have yet to engage in any licensing negotiations concerning these matters. With respect to the patents alleged to be essential to the GSM/GPRS/EDGE standards, Qualcomm has a duty to license those patents on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. Qualcomm has not provided Nokia with any proposed terms for a license in compliance with its obligations…
Nokia will analyze Qualcomm’s claims when it obtains the complaint and will defend itself in this action to ensure that its rights are fully protected. We also note the timing of this action in relation to the recent request by Nokia and five other companies for the European Commission to investigate Qualcomm’s licensing practices.”
As I suspected, a bit of bluster from Qualcomm. This will rumble on for a bit, I’m sure, but shouldn’t affect consumers.
