Ericsson Sues Samsung Over Expired Patents

Mobile phone maker Ericsson has filed suit against Samsung, alleging the company is using mobile phone patents to which their licenses have expired.

According to MarketWatch, Swedish mobile phone maker Ericsson has filed suit against electronics giant Samsung in the United States, the U.K., the Netherlands, and Germany, alleging the company is continuing to use patented mobile phone technology to which it no longer has license.

Ericsson claims Samsung’s licenses to patent covering GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution), and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) technologies expired on December 31, 2005. Negotiations to renew the licenses have apparently failed, prompting Ericsson’s suit.

The technologies represent the major developments in mobile communications between so-called “2G’ and “3G” mobile networks, particularly as rolled out in Europe.