Comments on: Nokia Sues Apple for Patent Infringement on iPhone

By: ThinkBeforeYouType

ThinkBeforeYouType — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:07:05 +0000

Consider yourself whatever you wish.

If Nokia win it would amount to only $2-$12 per phone. Meaning a maximum settlement of $500m.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8322399.stm)

The maximum settlement would not effect Apple too greatly.
The increase in phone costs would not effect iPhone sales either. It’s a luxury item, that amount would not stop somebody who wants one.

The only possible hidden ‘strategy’ is some kind of deal to get hold of multi-touch rights. However, that patent is un-tested and fairly easily circumnavigated. I doubt Nokia are even bothered by it, unless they know of something else in the pipeline.
(http://gizmodo.com/5142445/dissecting-apples-multitouch-patent-can-it-stop-palm)

None of this could possibly “slow Apple or regain market share”.

As they stated, Nokia want some cash from Apple.
Out of court settlement is the most likely outcome.

By: Drea

Drea — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:40:35 +0000

Thanks for your comments, guys. I consider myself a mite more educated on companies’ licensing strategy. TB4YT: My thought with the “regain market share” statement was as follows: If Nokia wins the patent suit, it would put a hiccup in the iPhone’s competitive pricing, due to new licensing fees. That increase would make the iPhone less competitive. The Financial Times goes into this in a little bit more detail: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/86318422-bf66-11de-a696-00144feab49a.html.

By: getting pregnant tips

getting pregnant tips — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:17:04 +0000

The damn phone has been out for over 2 years. They are obviously not aggressively enforcing the rights violations they are alleging after so much time. Legally they might be within the time frame, but we all know that companies wait years so that settlements will be higher than ever.

By: ThinkBeforeYouType

ThinkBeforeYouType — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:54:14 +0000

Just cut and paste the news, your comments are benign.

“This sounds like a desperate move by Nokia to slow Apple or regain market share.”
- how could this possibly help regain market share?
- they have not tried to get an injunction on iPhone production, it is purely about licensing of technology.

“What stopped them from suing earlier?”
- discussions to arrange license fees perhaps? (that every other major manufacturer pays willingly)
- the chance of winning a court case and the amount awarded is greatly improved with the 2 year proof of commercial use of ‘their’ technology