It’s “Patent Wars” all over again as bygone smartphone king Nokia files multiple patent suits against tech titan Apple over at multiple courts in the US, Europe and Asia. Multiple technologies are involved in the litigation, ranging from user interface to chipset design infringement.
Here’s a chunk of Nokia’s press release:
Across actions in 11 countries, there are now 40 patents in suit, which cover technologies such as display, user interface, software, antenna, chipsets and video coding. Cases have now been filed in:
- Regional Court, Dusseldorf, Germany – 8 patents *
- Regional Court, Mannheim, Germany – 4 patents *
- Regional Court, Munich, Germany – 2 patents *
- Market Court, Helsinki, Finland – 3 patents
- High Court, London, UK – 3 patents
- Court of Turin, Italy – 4 patents
- Patent and Market Court, Stockholm, Sweden – 3 patents
- Commercial Courts, Barcelona, Spain – 1 patent
- District Court, The Hague, Netherlands – 3 patents
- High Court, Paris, France – 1 patent
- High Court, Hong Kong – 1 patent
- Tokyo District Court, Japan – 2 patents
- US District Court, Eastern District of Texas – 18 patents *
- International Trade Commission, US – 8 patents
(* actions filed and announced on December 21).
Ilkka Rahnasto, head of Patent Business at Nokia commented: “Through our sustained investment in research and development, Nokia has created or contributed to many of the fundamental technologies used in today’s mobile devices, including Apple products. After several years of negotiations trying to reach agreement to cover Apple’s use of these patents, we are now taking action to defend our rights.”
Guess that’s one, flashy way to jumpstart “Nokia’s comeback,” eh folks?
