Apple vs. Nokia to hit courts in 2012
By Jenny • Mar 16th, 2010 • Category: Uncategorized
- Photo: Apple
The Nokia Apple lawsuit started when Nokia first sued Apple, who responded by countersuing Nokia, with both suits related to patent infringement technologies regarding their mobile phones business. Now Reuters points to 2012 as the start of the trial, confirming suspicions that the trial will be long and protracted.
Sequence of events
In October 2009 Nokia first initiated the Apple lawsuit, accusing the iPhone of patent infringement on 10 counts held by the Finnish company. On 11 December, Apple filed a countersuit claiming Nokia infringed 13 iPhone patents – later reduced to 9. Nokia would later file complaints with the ITC (International Trade Commission) claiming virtually all of Apple’s devices, ranging from the iPod to the iPhone and Mac, infringed on seven core Nokia patents. Apple soon followed suit by complaining to the ITC about Nokia on 15 January.
Framework Tech vs. Innovation
- Photo: Nokia
The technology in question, albeit too technical to delve into here, is revelatory of the different phases the two companies are in. Nokia’s patent infringement allegations speak to technology that’s found in a large percentage of GSM phones, with other carriers licensing them, and the Steve Jobs led company’s refusal to license it, too, led to Nokia’s initial Apple lawsuit.
The product
- Photo: Apple
While the focus is on the lawsuit, it seems reasonable to expect a product trail to lead to why these suits are being filed. With the iPhone, Apple has all but upended the smartphone market Nokia so long tried to lay claim to. The Finnish company’s failure to do so may have contributed to this lawsuit.
On the flipside, Nokia, who has recently admitted their N97 smartphone was a misfire, own core technologies that Apple may very well be infringing, giving them genuine claim. Outside of the N97 failure, Nokia’s standout phones include the N900, which has arguably the world’s best mobile browser, and the 5800 XPRESSMUSIC.
Tags for this article: Apple lawsuit, Apple vs. Nokia, Copyright infringement, Nokia lawsuit
