BlackBerry maker loses patent battle with Nokia
AYESHA SIDDIQUI
KARACHI: BlackBerry maker, Research in Motion (RIM), has lost its battle over contract dispute over the use of Nokia patents.
Nokia had signed a cross-license agreement with RIM which covered standards-essential cellular patents in 2003, which was amended in 2008. However, RIM sought arbitration with the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce in 2011 debating that the license should be extended to cover WLAN patents.
According to sources Nokia said the Swedish judge ruled that RIM had breached its contract and was not entitled to manufacture or sell WLAN without first agreeing royalties with Nokia.
Nokia is amongst the leading patent holders in the wireless industry and plans to boost royalties in patents as their phone business slides. They have also gone to the US, Britain and Canada to enforce the ruling.
RIM faces ban on all their phones and BlackBerry 10’s launch in the first quarter of 2013, which can be a major blow to the company if they do not settle royalties with Nokia.
This means that even if it spells financial loses for RIM they are expected to resolve the issue as their latest phone has already faced quite a delay.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2012
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