UBS speculates on hidden agenda in Nokia patent dispute
updated 11:15 am EDT, Fri October 23, 2009
Move a preemptive strike?
Following news of Nokia's patent infringement lawsuit against Apple, UBS analyst Maynard Um suggests the possibility of a hidden agenda. The case -- involving Nokia patents on technology ranging from 3G to Wi-Fi and GSM -- could be a preemptive strike in order to avoid possible infringement issues with soon-to-be-released Nokia phones, many of which contain multi-touch capabilities similar to Apple's own.
Um suggests that Apple could eventually file an infringement suit against Nokia, if new phones do indeed seem to violate Apple patents. The resulting legal conflict would potentially be a lengthy one, involving US Patent Office reviews. The overall outcome is however expected to be an out-of-court settlement, which could result in cross-licensing agreements.
Nokia remains the world's predominant cellphone maker, but it has gradually lost ground in recent years. The company may feel particularly threatened in the smartphone realm, where companies such as Apple and RIM have advanced rapidly. In the North American market, Nokia devices like the N96 have had relatively marginal sales.
Um, what?
10/23, 03:58pm reply
I've heard some unfortunate last names, and "Um" is certainly up there in the ranks. You've got to wonder how many times, "My name is Mannie um," issued the response, "Mannie um what? You don't know your last name?"
danviento
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
hahahaha
10/26, 10:54am reply
Oh, you're so funny. Let's make fun of people's names! Look, it's not "Joe Smith"! Hahahahaha.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Patents
10/27, 04:50am reply
Well, that's pretty much my guess of what's going on.
What also needs to be considered is that unlike the iPod, many of Apple's iPhone patents are software patents - and therefore don't stand in a lot of places where Nokia operates - but do in the US.
So Nokia is free to produce a multi-touch phone for sale in Europe (where it would probably sell well, as Nokia have a far larger brand presence, and the N-series is well regarded - and for a long time that has been rightly so - far better than WinMob) - but would be locked out of the US market.
JulesLt
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Joined: Jul 2005