The patent fight between mobile technology giants Nokia and Qualcomm got nastier today, as Nokia files a request with Internation Trade Commision to block U.S. imports of CDMA and WCDMA/GSM mobile chipsets made by Qualcomm—along with any products containing those chips, like mobile phones. Nokia claims the chips violate five Noka patents, and accuses Qualcomm of unfair trade practices.
"There is significant evidence to warrant an ITC investigation into Qualcomm’s business conduct," said Nokia CFO Rick Simonson. "We are taking this action to stop Qualcomm’s practice of copying Nokia’s patented technology, without permission, and making these innovations available to its chipset customers."
Nokia’s move also has a hint of irony: in 2006, Qualcomm petitioned the ITC to block importation of Nokia GSM devices that Qualcomm claimed were infringing on six of its patents. Qualcomm has since withdrawn three of the patents in that case; a hearing is scheduled for September.
The ITC filing is just the latest salvo in a long-running patent battle between the two companies. At issue is key technology used in 3G mobile networks; under a 15 year-old cross-licensing deal, Nokia had been paying Qualcomm roughly $500 million a year to license key Qualcomm patents. In April, Nokia served notice to Qualcomm that it felt its licenses for CMDA/WCMDA technology were paid up and royalty-free, and offered Qualcomm a paltry $20 million for remaining UMTS patents. Qualcomm, of course, spurned the money and disputed Nokia’s claims.
The fight between Nokia and Qualcomm could have broad implications: while neither Qualcomm nor Nokia have released figures on the number of phones that could be impacted by a block on imports, Qualcomm technology is widely employed in handsets from a number of manufacturers.
Qualcomm is also engaged in a patent dispute with Broadcom, with the ITC recently ruling against Qualcomm and banning imports of devices which infringe on Broadcom patents.
