Nokia sues Apple over “free ride”

Nokia has today filed a complaint against Apple with the Federal District Court in Delaware, alleging that Apple’s iPhone infringes Nokia patents for GSM, UMTS and wireless LAN (WLAN) standards and that the company is getting a “free ride” on the back of Nokia’s own research and development.
 
The law suit relates to 10 patents regarding technologies fundamental to making devices compatible with one or more of the GSM, UMTS (3G WCDMA) and wireless LAN connectivity standards. The patents cover wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption technology.

Nokia claims these patents have all been infringed by all Apple iPhone models shipped since the iPhone was introduced in 2007.

Nokia has claimed that it has created one of the strongest and broadest patent portfolios in the industry, and that it has entered into license agreements including these patents with around 40 companies, including most major handset manufacturers.

Nokia vice president for legal and intellectual property Ilkka Rahnasto said: “The basic principle in the mobile industry is that those companies who contribute in technology development to establish standards create intellectual property, which others then need to compensate for.”

“Apple is also expected to follow this principle. By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia’s intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia’s innovation.”