HTC and Nokia sign collaboration deal ending all patent litigation between them

posted by Alan F. / Feb 07, 2014, 6:22 PM

HTC and Nokia sign collaboration deal ending all patent litigation between them

After Nokia recently won four injunctions against HTC in German courts, the Taiwan based manufacturer finally got the hint. HTC and Nokia announced on Friday that they have entered into a collaboration that ends all patent litigation between them. Kudos to HTC for looking at things realistically and realizing that this deal was the best way to go.

HTC faced injunctions against all of its Android flavored models, including the HTC One and variations of that model. The only reason that HTC was still able to sell those devices in Germany was because the courts decided to stay the injunctions until HTC finishes the appeal process.

The financial terms of the settlement are confidential. HTC and Nokia did have a previous agreement that covered non essential patents. Today's agreement covers standards essential patents and involves HTC paying money to Nokia. The latter will have access to HTC's LTE patent portfolio. Note to Apple and Samsung: this is how it's done.

"We are very pleased to have reached a settlement and collaboration agreement with HTC, which is a long standing licensee for Nokia's standards essential patents. This agreement validates Nokia's implementation patents and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities."-Paul Melin, chief intellectual property officer, Nokia.

"Nokia has one of the most preeminent patent portfolios in the industry. As an industry pioneer in smartphones with a strong patent portfolio, HTC is pleased to come to this agreement, which will enable us to stay focused on innovation for consumers."-Grace Lei, General Counsel, HTC

source: HTC

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25 Comments

1. Birds

Posts: 1172; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

Yes!!! An end to this sad, sad feud!!! Bottles to both!!!!

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 6:30 PM 1

8. neops

Posts: 297; Member since: Jan 28, 2014

All this "love and understanding" must bring something good to people e.g. lower prices

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 7:53 PM 0

17. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Hmm, MS leaves the picture and all of a sudden the patent deal is struck. Love and understanding was probably already there, turns out their retarded overlords/moles were probably getting in the way.

posted on Feb 08, 2014, 4:45 AM 0

18. papss unregistered

Nice fiction story.. Please tell us more!!

posted on Feb 08, 2014, 7:12 AM 0

20. NokiaFTW

Posts: 2072; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

Nokia always prices their phones aggressively and low, while HTC really over priced their flagship One in many countries.

posted on Feb 08, 2014, 8:59 AM 1

2. newbey123

Posts: 700; Member since: Mar 19, 2012

Nokia sucks, will never buy their phones! Glad HTC is paying them to go away!

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 6:34 PM 7

4. sip1995

Posts: 1771; Member since: Feb 07, 2014

Maybe you don't read the whole article ......HTC pays Nokia to use Nokia's patents on htc phones. So Nokia won't go away.

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 6:51 PM 11

5. Commentator

Posts: 3722; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

He probably meant their lawyers.

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 6:51 PM 6

22. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

Nice profile picture.. Mix radio is awesome!

posted on Feb 08, 2014, 7:14 PM 1

7. UrbanPhantom

Posts: 949; Member since: Oct 30, 2012

Nokia doesn't sell phones anymore. Some of you people are so behind the times ;o)

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 7:12 PM 6

12. NokiaFTW

You're saying as if HTC sells 20 million phones in a quarter. If you've forgotten, HTC are gonna record a loss this quarter, even after releasing a phone like the HTC One, which some of you called the "best Android phone ever".

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 10:11 PM 3

9. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

Nokia sucks? U must be kidding me.

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 8:02 PM 6

10. Liveitup

Posts: 1798; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

I guess you endorse using others patents without permission. By your reasoning its ok to take your property and use it without permission.

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 9:02 PM 1

13. Sonny_09

Posts: 49; Member since: May 24, 2013

So the thief is good, and the owner is bad? What logic is yours?

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 11:17 PM 1

3. XperiaOptimusOne unregistered

Typo should do the same with BB. PAY UP!

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 6:42 PM 1

6. microsoftnokiawin

Posts: 1268; Member since: Mar 30, 2012

see if htc did this from the beginning it would've been easy ya happy ending !

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 6:54 PM 1

11. papss unregistered

wow that is great news!

posted on Feb 07, 2014, 9:21 PM 0

14. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Lol HTC is getting raped hard by both Nokia and Apple. Do they even have any margins left? Man we really need a better justice system and we definitely need more companies willing to stand up for this bs.

posted on Feb 08, 2014, 12:28 AM 0

16. Cyberchum

Posts: 1033; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

You're one fruity fella, you can't be any dafter.

posted on Feb 08, 2014, 4:16 AM 1

19. papss unregistered

OR HTC needs to stop stealing tech that isn't their own AND passing it off as theirs. This isn't china and isn't okay period

posted on Feb 08, 2014, 7:13 AM 0

21. Taters

It is much more gray than you Nokia fan boys like to make it out to be. Nokia is ACCUSING HTC of stealing. If you go to the cops enough times, HTC will get fed up and just pay even though they feel that they are not stealing at all. Who is right here? Probably HTC, who has the right to make cellphones in peace without two big huge babies in Nokia and Apple crying fowl every 20 seconds.

posted on Feb 08, 2014, 1:51 PM 0

23. microsoftnokiawin

well what patents is htc paying for if they're non existent and they aren't stealing !

posted on Feb 09, 2014, 12:14 AM 0

24. sbw44

Posts: 433; Member since: Dec 04, 2012

Wow in all my life I have not ever heard such a stupid comment! You accuse others of being Nokia Fan boys but here you are making stupid comments like this to protect your precious Android! By your reasoning if someone accuses me enough times for stealing I should just go to jail to get them of my back??? Are you insane? Why don't you then just admit that you are a spineless Fandroid so that we Nokia Fanboys can get of your stupid back! BTW Good Job Nokia!