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Nokia enters patent license agreement with Apple

Nokia issued a press release this morning stating that it has reached an agreement with Apple that includes the settlement of all patent litigation between the companies. This includes a one-time payment from Apple and ongoing royalties. The specific contract terms are confidential.

Apple had won a round in the patent fight with Nokia in March when the International Trade Commission found that Apple wasn't violating five Nokia patents. Apple had also filed suit against Nokia, and a judgment in that case was expected this month. The dispute between the two companies goes all the way back to 2009 and involved a variety of suits and countersuits, including alleged infringement on GSM and wireless LAN patents, claims of stolen technology and more.

The full press release can be read below.

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Espoo, Finland - Nokia announced that it has signed a patent license agreement with Apple. The agreement will result in settlement of all patent litigation between the companies, including the withdrawal by Nokia and Apple of their respective complaints to the US International Trade Commission.

The financial structure of the agreement consists of a one-time payment payable by Apple and on-going royalties to be paid by Apple to Nokia for the term of the agreement. The specific terms of the contract are confidential.

"We are very pleased to have Apple join the growing number of Nokia licensees," said Stephen Elop, president and chief executive officer of Nokia. "This settlement demonstrates Nokia's industry leading patent portfolio and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities in the mobile communications market."

During the last two decades, Nokia has invested approximately EUR 43 billion in research and development and built one of the wireless industry's strongest and broadest IPR portfolios, with over 10,000 patent families. Nokia is a world leader in the development of handheld device and mobile communications technologies, which is also demonstrated by Nokia's strong patent position.

This agreement is expected to have a positive financial impact on Nokia's recently revised outlook for the second quarter 2011 of around break-even non-IFRS operating margin for Devices & Services.


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Nokia issued a press release this morning stating that it has reached an agreement with Apple that includes the settlement of all patent...
 

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Patrick

Nearly every article on this settlement is missing a key point. Apple's statement makes clear that Nokia did not receive a license to key iPhone patents. http://www.applepatent.com/2011/06/nokia-v-apple-settled.html Thus, the patent battle between Apple and Nokia is likely not over, and will probably heat up again when the more iPhone-like Windows phones are released by Nokia next year.

The market does seem to be keeping things in perspective. Despite a ~4% share price gain today, NOK shares are still well below even where they were after the 14% drop on May 31 after the warning on earnings.

June 14 2011 at 8:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Patrick's comment
Oletros

iPhone-like Windows phones?

In what ressembles WP7 to iOS?

June 14 2011 at 2:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mabhatter

Hopefully, Apple is smart enough to have a "poison pill" in the deal so the money ONLY goes to Nokia. I can see really quickly Nokia is going under. I'm sure Apple is not stupid enough to sign any deal that let's Microsoft get a secret cross-license .. Or worse in a position Apple actually pays Microsoft some of this money.

June 14 2011 at 4:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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