Nokia Could Face Counter Suit from Apple
November 6th, 2009 at 10:39 AM - News by Jeff Gamet
Nokia recently filed a lawsuit against Apple for allegedly infringing on patents with its iPhone lineup, but the mobile phone maker could potentially face a counter suit claiming it is infringing on Apple's patents, too, according to Reuters.
"I would not be surprised to see a counter-claim from Apple citing patents it owns that it believes Nokia is infringing," commented CSS Insight Research Director Ben Wood. "This type of tit-for-tat approach has occured in previous patent battles as each player tries to improve its negotiating position."
Nokia claimed that Apple is using patented technology it owns related to wireless data transfer, security, speech coding, and encryption. Analysts estimate Nokia is asking for damages somewhere in the range of US$200,000 and $1 billion.
The two companies could be tangled in a legal battle that lasts years, and depending on the tactics they use, might end up in European courts, too. Should either company take their case to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the court proceedings could stall for years while the organization evaluates the patents.
Assuming Apple sues Nokia over possible patent infringements, there's a possibility the two cases could be merged together.
Despite both companies plans to vigorously defend themselves, analysts tend to agree that an out of court settlement makes the most sense.
"Nokia wants to be careful it doesn't kill the goose with the golden egg while Apple does not want to tarnish its premium brand by being continuously sued by other companies for using their technologies without payment," said Steven Nathasingh, managing director of the research company Vaxa.
5 Observer Comments
Yeah, but I get the impression that Nokia needs an out-of-court settlement, and I think that Apple would prefer a real battle, taken to the mats—in court. Squeeze Nokia until it hurts too much… wonder how this will end…
-Jon
Always good to see Nokia taking the ‘lawful’ route. Here’s a brave Nokia-Siemens partner (he’s the one with jack boots and baton) in recent political discussion with Iranian women: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5s4iXeQOkE (Nokia-Siemens have ongoing contracts with the Iranian regime to assist with the ongoing lawful monitoring of unruly women such as these).
It’s a shame Nokia uses all their money for lawyers instead of developing a worthy iPhone competitor.
Apple should do the phone market a favour. Buy Nokia, take what little good is left and shut them down! Of course the EU might frown… but so what.
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