Seit Ende 2009 befinden sich Apple und Nokia in einem angespannten Verhältnis, das von Patentstreitigkeiten und Klagen geprägt ist. Eine detaillierte Übersicht über die Timeline findet sich unter dem Stichwort Nokia.
Diese Patentstreitigkeiten sollen nun laut Nokia aber endlich beseitigt werden: Man sei zu einer Übereinkunft gekommen, und Nokia begrüßt Apple im Kreis der Lizenznehmer von Nokia.
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.
Apple soll nach einer „einmaligen Zahlung“ nun auch fortlaufend Lizenzgebühren für von Nokia entwickelte und im iPhone verwendete Technologien aus dem Bereich „Verbesserte Sprach- und Datenübertragung“ zahlen.
Nokia's vollständige Presseaussendung gibt es im Anschluss:
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.