Nokia, InterDigital Continue Their Patent Battles

LONDON — InterDigital Communications Corporation is to oppose Nokia’s efforts to appeal the recent judgment of a federal court confirming an award against the Finnish maker of mobile handsets.

Earlier this month Nokia appealed against the federal court's judgment of last December that it must pay between $232 million to $252 million after losing a patent dispute with InterDigital (King of Prussia, Pa.).

"I am disappointed that Nokia has elected to pursue yet another legal challenge to its royalty obligations to InterDigital in spite of an unambiguous confirmation of the Final Award by the federal court," commented William Merritt, President and CEO of InterDigital, in a statement Friday (Jan. 27).

In June 2005, the International Chamber of Commerce ordered Nokia to pay the sum to InterDigital, but Nokia disputed the amount.

The legal fight, which was heard in the Southern District of New York, is over royalties that Nokia allegedly owed InterDigital for using its technology on 2G and 2.5G handsets.

"Notwithstanding Nokia's latest action, our resolve to prevail in this dispute remains steadfast and absolute. We will continue to pursue all legal remedies to secure payment and we remain confident that Nokia will pay the amounts due, either of its own accord or by court order," Merritt said in the statement.

Earlier this week, Korean handset maker LG Electronics agreed a licensing deal with InterDigital in which LG will pay $95 million in royalties each year from 2006 until 2008 to use technology for 2G and 3G handsets. The amount includes the royalties for technologies LG had used in the past.