Nokia announced today that it is suing Apple alleging that the iPhone infringes on some Nokia wireless communication patents. The suit covers some ten patents for GSM, UMTS (3G WCDMA) and wireless LAN standards and cover wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption.
“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,” said Ilkka Rahnasto, Vice President, Legal & Intellectual Property at Nokia. “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.”
Don’t expect a speedy resolution to this one…