Apple Seeks To Ban Nokia Imports To US

Hugh Pickens writes "Cnet reports that the ongoing patent battle between Apple and Nokia has escalated, with Apple moving to block imports of Nokia cell phones to the US by filing a complaint with the International Trade Commission, an independent federal agency that examines issues including unfair trade practices involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement. In December, Nokia filed its own complaint with the USITC alleging that Apple infringes seven Nokia patents 'in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers' and sought to ban imports of Apple's iPhone, iPod, and MacBook products. Responding to Apple's latest move, Nokia spokesman Mark Durrant told Bloomberg that 'Nokia will study the complaint when it is received and continue to defend itself vigorously. However this does not alter the fact that Apple has failed to agree appropriate terms for using Nokia technology and has been seeking a free ride on Nokia's innovation since it shipped the first iPhone in 2007.' An ITC investigation is a lengthy process, but it's possible that Apple and Nokia might reach some sort of settlement as suits continue to escalate between the two companies."

Comments

Re:Sue first, ask questions later

[jo_ham]

I don't normally reply to AC, but perhaps you accidentally checked the post anon box - there are actual sentences in this reply.

I'm not taking sides either way here, it's just that everyone seems to be immediately siding with Nokia here, without even looking at the nature of the dispute.

Apple has cross licenced before, and will do so again, but they are equally not just going to accept any terms Nokia holds them to ransom for since they *need* Nokia's patents to use GSM. Apple's complaint is that as a standard holder they are being discriminatory by attempting to bar entry to the standard in order to get more patents/more cash out of Apple.

I'm not saying Apple doesn't want to cross licence, but you seem to be trying to paint this as all Apple's fault - both companies are negotiating the value of the patents they hold and are not agreeing.

Apple is willing to pay what other third parties are paying, Nokia wants more (allegedly). The bracketed word is what all the fuss is about. That's what the litigation is all about.

They eventually will settle and cross licence.