Qualcomm Files ITC Complaint Against Nokia
Staff Reporter -- EDN, June 12, 2006
Qualcomm has filed a complaint against mobile phone manufacturer Nokia over six patents, the company announced today.
Qualcomm's complaint, filed with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) on Friday, alleges that Nokia "engaged in unfair trade practices by the importation and sale of certain mobile telephone handsets, wireless communication devices and components that infringe one or more claims" of six of Qualcomm's patents.
In a separate statement, Nokia said that it is evaluating the filing and will respond as necessary.
Nokia further asserted that the patents addressed to the ITC by Qualcomm are covered by Qualcomm's prior agreements to license on fair and reasonable terms, and are thus not properly subject to a complaint with the ITC.
"These repetitive legal actions, over GSM technologies that have been in the market for many years, reflect Qualcomm's concern over the current 3G UMTS patent negotiations," Nokia said in its statement. "These actions demonstrate that the conditions applicable to ongoing negotiations between Nokia and Qualcomm have substantially changed since the early 1990's," when Qualcomm held a dominant patent position in the industry.
Now, Nokia claims, it has a "very strong patent position," holding "far more essential patents than Qualcomm in 3G UMTS standard."
Last week's complaint is just the latest battle between the two companies, who have a history of disagreements over alleged licensing and patent infringement. Most recently, Qualcomm filed a suit in the U.K. last month against Nokia, alleging that the company had infringed on two of the U.S.-based Qualcomm's British patents.
