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Nokia wants the HTC One banned after a major victory over its smart phone rival in the British courts.
Mr Justice Arnold of the High Court ruled that HTC phones infringe Nokia’s EP 0 998 024 patent, entitled ‘Modulator Structure for a Transmitter and a Mobile Station’, related to the kit in phones that transmits data.
“Naturally HTC is disappointed by the decision that the UK court has reached in this case, and we will be seeking to appeal the finding immediately,” a spokesperson for HTC told CNET UK in a statement.
HTC argues that the contentious modulator technology is part of the Qualcomm chips in the HTC One and its ilk, and as such is covered by a deal between Qualcomm and Nokia in the US. Unfortunately for the Taiwanese company, his learned m’lud didn’t agree.
“Nokia is pleased that the UK High Court has today confirmed the validity of Nokia’s patent EP 0 998 024 and ruled that a number of HTC products, including the HTC One, infringe this patent,” a spokesperson for Nokia said in a statement. “Nokia will now seek an injunction against the import and sale of infringing HTC products in the UK as well as financial compensation.”
A sales ban and possible reparations will be worked out with the court, with HTC’s appeal to go to the Court of Appeal. A ban is unlikely though, as Nokia would probably rather trouser some money for each HTC phone sold than ban the One entirely.
Nokia has previously gone after BlackBerry and Apple over patent infringement, earning substantial pay-offs from both companies.
The legal spat continues around the world, Nokia pointing to similar cases in Germany, Italy, Japan and the US. American and German courts have already ruled HTC infringes three other Nokia patents, out of 50 patents disputed between the two companies in various countries.
The legal smackdown is the latest blow for HTC, struggling with poor sales, legal woes at home, and an exodus of management talent. Is HTC in real trouble? Do you think Nokia is right to try and ban the HTC One? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
