Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile

Apple extends Nokia patent battle to the UK

Geoff Duncan
By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The patent feud between Apple and Nokia has been quietly smoldering for the better part of a year, but Apple has decided to ratchet up the tension: Apple is launched legal action against Nokia in the United Kingdom, accusing the world’s largest handset maker of infringing on Apple’s mobile phone technology.

The dispute began back in October 2009 when Nokia sued Apple, claiming the company infringed on ten of its patents. Apple fired back in December, countersuing Nokia for violating 13 of its patents; Apple also asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to ban import of infringing devices in to the United States—whichmay have been less-than-threatening considering how little of Nokia’s business is still in the U.S. Nokia expanded the proceedings again in May, filing a fresh suit against Apple over technology included in the iPhone and iPad.

Recommended Videos

Each company is pointing the finger at the other for using its technology innovations without licensing or compensation. Nokia claims Apple refuses to respect Nokia’s intellectual property; Apple accuses Nokia of stealing Apple’s innovations. The war of words has been particularly bitter for companies that are known for keeping their public statements under control; in its initial suit against Nokia, Apple called out a now-infamous quote from a Nokia executive that said the company would “copy with price” anything in the world it found worthwhile. Of course, Apple CEO Steve Jobs is known for quoting Picasso: “Good artists borrow, great artists steal.”

Related

Expanding the legal proceedings to the United Kingdom—and closer to Nokia’s European business—could be a move to pressure Nokia towards a settlement. However, in a statement, a Nokia spokesperson indicated the company was unfazed, and that Apple’s new action changed nothing about the nature of the dispute.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Geoff Duncan
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Apple accidentally revealed a big iPad Pro display upgrade
The iPad Pro (2022) sitting in the Magic Keyboard.

iPad Pro 2022 Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Apple is already past its usual upgrade cycle for the iPad Pro after the previous model was released in October 2022. Latest reports hint at an announcement now set for "early May" this year where Apple will unveil the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, even though a proper event seems unlikely. Despite Apple's suggested lack of fervor, these purported new iPad models are expected to bring significant changes, especially to the display.

Read more
When will Apple release iOS 18? Here’s what we know
An iPhone 14 laying face-down on a wood table.

Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will start on Monday, June 10. During the conference keynote, the company is expected to unveil new software updates for its major products, including iOS 18 for iPhones.

iOS 18 is expected to be a major iPhone update, likely ushering in a new design and AI features. If you are wondering when you can get your hands on the latest software version, here's everything you need to know about iOS 18's release date.
When will the iOS 18 beta be released?

Read more
Everything you need to know about the massive Apple App Store outage
App Store on-screen illustration

Happy Wednesday evening, everyone! You're unwinding for the day, getting ready for a relaxing night, and ... you realize that the App Store and a bunch of other Apple services aren't working. Don't worry, you aren't alone.

What Apple services are down? When did the problems start? Is the outage still ongoing? Here's everything you need to know.
When did the App Store outage start?
According to DownDetector, reports of outages with the App Store flooded in a little after 6 p.m. ET. Reports appear to have spiked at over 6,000, indicating pretty widespread problems.

Read more