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Nokia Sues Apple Over iPhone Technology

Finnish cell phone maker alleges copyright infringement

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 23, 2009 8:07 AM CDT

(Newser) – Nokia, the world's biggest cell phone maker, is suing Apple in US federal court for alleged copyright infringement, saying it has 10 claims on the technology used in the iPhone. The Finnish company said Apple used "fundamental" patented technologies concerning wireless data, speech recognition, security, and encryption. It has reasons to be concerned: This week Apple posted a blazing 47% jump in quarterly profits, while Nokia swung to a loss.

"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 Nokia's head of legal affairs. Apple, which has sold 30 million iPhones, refused to comment—but the American company threatened to sue competitor Palm on similar grounds earlier this year.

Three phones by Nokia, which is suing Apple for alleged copyright infringement.
Three phones by Nokia, which is suing Apple for alleged copyright infringement.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Nokia alleges that the iPhone infringes 10 of its patents.
Nokia alleges that the iPhone infringes 10 of its patents.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Reader587
Oct 24, 2009 10:07 AM CDT
Patent infringment is not an easy area to prove. Caution is the name of the game and Nokia was playing it cautious up front. Plus, this is going to cost both sides big, big money. Nokia needed to know that have reason to prevail and that the "investment" in lawyers and prosecutional offense is going to pay off.
spacematic
Oct 24, 2009 2:26 AM CDT
The mouse wasn't invented by XEROX, it was invented by Douglas Engelbart and Bill English at Stanford Research Institute. Also, "stealing" is a very strong word. Apple was inspired, yes. Influenced? Certainly. Many XEROX employees worked on the Lisa and Mac, but the original Mac GUI wasn't a "port" or "lift" from Smalltalk or Star. http://www.folklore.org/StoryV...
Cprizzle
Oct 23, 2009 6:40 AM CDT
I agree Yourself. Now that their sales are turning south they don't know what to do. If you had a problem with it, why didn't you take care of it before it got off the ground? Yeah, Nokia could (if this lucrative case gets heard) end up winning big money, but it doesn't touch what Apple has made or will make anyway.

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