Apple will defend itself "vigorously" against Nokia's billion dollar iPhone patent claims

Jonny Evans
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October 28, 2009
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The dispute between Apple and Nokia regarding patents claimed by the latter company to have been used without permission within the iPhone seems set to continue for “over a year” analysts say.

In its form 10Q filed last night, Apple responded that it will defend itself against Nokia’s patent lawsuit “vigorously”.

At issue: Nokia claims ownership of ten patented technologies applied within the iPhone, and insists Apple hasn’t paid the relevant royalties for these uses. Patents include those for wireless data transfer, speech coding, security and encryption.

Nokia filed suit against Apple in the United States last week, accusing Apple of hitching a "free ride" on Nokia's technology investment.

Bill Merritt, the head of mobile licensing firm InterDigital said he’d be surprised if anything gets sorted out quickly in this case, suggesting the patent spat could continue for years.

Analysts estimate Nokia's demands for compensation range from $200 million to $1 billion. Merritt notes the high selling price of the iPhone would also be considered in assessing how much any royalty payments should be, assuming Nokia prevails in the case.

Comments (6)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 4:45am

I wonder if apple will sue for look-a-like iphone designs http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/29/nokias-iphone-no-seriously/

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 4:53am

I bet they're rubbing their hands with glee and pre-printing their invoices! :D

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 6:30am

Didn't CSIRO in Australia recently win world wide patent dispute on WiFI againt tech companies? Then what's Nokia on about WRT WiFi claim component? Is this just frivolous claims due sour grapes trying to get unfair share of Apple profits because Nokia can't design a good enough smart phone of their own?

Olternaut (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 9:55am

Most likely Apple is going to do a cross licensing deal with Nokia. This move by Nokia is apparently an insurance policy so when they come out with their own multi-touch devices Apple won't be able to go after them.

Or maybe Apple will take the gamble and indeed vigorously defend itself. If Apple is able to win then Nokia won't be able to come out with their own high end competitive devices to battle the iPhone.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 9:07pm

Considering both companies have their own legal teams, I doubt the lawyers are "rubbing their hands with glee." This fight is between two established companies, not about patent trolls with only a shell corporation trying to extract payments from companies that, you know, actually make stuff.

asim (not verified) | October 29, 2009 - 4:19am

nokia want to eat apple's profit as they could not come up with an awesome phone like iphone

******iphone is the best******