Nokia fires another IPR salvo at Qualcomm

Stuart Corner
Friday, 17 August 2007 12:42

Business IT - Technology

Embattled Qualcomm has copped another intellectual property challenge from Nokia, a company with which it has been waging IPR battles on several fronts for a number of years.

Nokia has filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that Qualcomm has engaged in unfair trade practices by infringing five Nokia patents in its CDMA and WCDMA/GSM chipsets. Nokia is requesting that the ITC initiate an investigation and issue an exclusion order to bar importation to the United States of infringing Qualcomm chipsets, and products such as handsets, containing the infringing chipsets.

Nokia alleges that Qualcomm's unfair trade practices include importing products, selling products for importation, and/or selling products after importation, and inducing others to import products such as handsets, that infringe Nokia patented technology in certain Qualcomm GSM/WCDMA and CDMA2000 chipsets.
 
According to Nokia, "The patents in question relate to technologies that improve the performance and efficiency of wireless communication devices as well as enabling lower manufacturing costs, smaller product size and increased battery life. These technologies are important to Nokia's success as they allow its products to have competitive advantages over those of competitors."
 
Nokia CFO, Rick Simonson, said: "We are taking this action to stop Qualcomm's practice of copying Nokia's patented technology, without permission, and making these innovations available to its chipset customers. We are seeking the same remedies Qualcomm has sought against Nokia in multiple venues around the world. Nokia will continue to ensure its rights and competitive advantage."