In addition to the ongoing mobile patents dispute between Finnish mobile giant Nokia and Apple, Nokia has thrown a fresh new lawsuit in Apple’s direction, this time alleging the iPad and iPhone 3G infringe five important Nokia patents.
Back in October, Nokia sued Apple, alleging that Apple’s iPhone infringed on 10 of Nokia’s patents.
Apple then filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission on 15 January, asking it to block Nokia smart-phone devices from the US.
In the latest case, the patents in question relate to technologies for enhanced speech and data transmission, using positioning data in applications and innovations in antenna configurations that improve performance and save space, allowing smaller and more compact devices.
Nokia said these patented innovations are important to the company’s success as they allow improved product performance and design.
“Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in mobile devices,” said Paul Melin, general manager, Patent Licensing, at Nokia.
“We have taken this step to protect the results of our pioneering development and to put an end to continued unlawful use of Nokia’s innovation.”
During the last two decades, Nokia has invested about €40bn in research and development and built what the company describes as one of the wireless industry’s strongest and broadest IPR portfolios, with more than 11,000 patent families.
By John Kennedy
Photo: The Apple iPad
