Apple admits defeat to Nokia in patent wars

Apple will make undisclosed payments to Nokia, ending the long-running patent dispute between the two firms

Apple has settled its patent dispute with Nokia Photo: REUTERS

 

 Nokia has announced that Apple will pay to use the Finnish phone giant’s technologies, in a move that finally marks the end of a long-running legal dispute between the two firms.

"The agreement will result in settlement of all patent litigation between the companies," the Finnish firm said. The u-turn comes after both firms had spent years accusing each other of infringing their patents.

Nokia initially sued Apple for patent infringements in 2009. Apple countersued, but Nokia extended the action in December last year. Disputed areas included 3G and Wi-Fi technology, as well as caller ID and touch interfaces.

Apple will make a one-off payment, the size of which has not been disclosed, and will then pay ongoing royalties. The development could also mean that other manufacturers are more likely to have to pay Nokia for using similar technologies.

"We are very pleased to have Apple join the growing number of Nokia licensees," said Nokia's chief executive Stephen Elop. "This settlement demonstrates Nokia's industry-leading patent portfolio and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities in the mobile communications market."

In a statement, Apple said "Apple and Nokia have agreed to drop all of our current lawsuits and enter into a license covering some of each others' patents, but not the majority of the innovations that make the iPhone unique. We're glad to put this behind us and get back to focusing on our respective businesses."

Nokia claims that during the last 20 years it has invested approximately €43 billion (£37 billion) in research and development and now owns over 10,000 patent families.