1. Shlooky's Avatar
    FOSS Patents: Nokia hits RIM with three more patents in Munich

    Nokia hits RIM with three more patents in Munich
    RIM has enough problems on its plate these days. Nokia added three more to the list: I found out that Nokia has recently filed, with the Munich I Regional Court, patent infringement actions against RIM over three additional patents.

    More than two months ago, Nokia filed patent lawsuits against HTC, Viewsonic and RIM. Nokia asserted more patents against HTC and even against Viewsonic than against RIM. It originally sued the BlackBerry maker over seven patents in three different German cities: two in D�sseldorf, two in Mannheim, and three in Munich. The number of Munich patents has meanwhile doubled. These are the three new patents:

    EP1474750 on a "method and system for storing and transferring multimedia tags"

    Nokia is also asserting this one against HTC in Mannheim.

    EP08040461 on a "method and apparatus for updating the software of a mobile terminal using the air interface"

    EP1148681 on a "method for transferring resource information"

    Nokia is suing RIM only in Germany at this stage (while it's suing HTC and Viewsonic in the United States as well), and in Germany, the center of gravity for the dispute between the two parties is now clearly in Munich (while Mannheim is the primary venue for Nokia's German lawsuits against HTC and Viewsonic).

    Nokia's patent portfolio is hugely stronger than RIM's in terms of both standard-essential and non-standard-essential patents. RIM will probably countersue, if it hasn't already, but realistically, Nokia is going to win this sooner or later.

    Research in Motion has so far been rather defensive in terms of patent litigation, but that may change soon unless the company gets bought. A filing that RIM made with the ITC earlier this week suggests that RIM thinks it has a better future as a patent troll abusing standard-essential patents than as an operating company, and/or that what it has to offer to a buyer comes down to its patent portfolio. I'll discuss that filing in my next post.

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    07-11-12 01:09 PM
  2. DuexNoir's Avatar
    I understand patents are a necessity to a certain extent but I get the sense that patents have become an abused tool - that greatly hinders further and future innovation and cooperation.

    That said, if RIM continues to be passive, they will lose out and get pushed around. Time to fight back.
    bluetroll likes this.
    07-11-12 01:21 PM
  3. BBPandy's Avatar
    what a Bias'd article...couldn't they just report the news & leave it at that?

    realistically, Nokia is going to win this sooner or later.
    How do you know? You don't even know what RIM's response is.

    Research in Motion has so far been rather defensive in terms of patent litigation, but that may change soon unless the company gets bought. A filing that RIM made with the ITC earlier this week suggests that RIM thinks it has a better future as a patent troll abusing standard-essential patents than as an operating company, and/or that what it has to offer to a buyer comes down to its patent portfolio. I'll discuss that filing in my next post.
    I agree that so far RIM has stayed out frivious lawsuits....which btw is commendable. The reason they have not been sued very much so far is because, despite the fact that they only have a few patents, their patents are very strong due to the fact that THEY INVENTED the concept of the smartphone. Nowhere have I seen any evidence of them becoming "Patent Trolls"....if you want to talk about patent trolls why don't you go write about Apple?
    07-11-12 02:14 PM
  4. bk1022's Avatar
    Perhaps they *SHOULD* become patent trolls. I doubt existing phone makers are paying their ~fair~ share. You think that Nokia isn't unwittingly violating RIM patents? Honestly, I looked at EP08040461 and I simply can't believe these patents are allowed.
    07-11-12 02:55 PM
  5. cgk's Avatar


    How do you know? You don't even know what RIM's response is.
    he's a well-regarded expert in the area who knows what patents each company holds and the types of patents they hold. What is your expertise in this highly complex area?
    07-11-12 04:02 PM
  6. W Hoa's Avatar
    he's a well-regarded expert in the area who knows what patents each company holds and the types of patents they hold. What is your expertise in this highly complex area?
    He also commented: A filing that RIM made with the ITC earlier this week suggests that RIM thinks it has a better future as a patent troll abusing standard-essential patents than as an operating company.

    Would his patent expertise encourage you to agree with that statement?
    07-11-12 04:40 PM
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