Android handset manufacturer ran afoul of courts in 2013, will make payments to Nokia
HTC and Nokia today announced that they’ve reached an agreement on disputed patents and “explore future technology collaboration opportunities.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but HTC will make payments to Nokia, according to today’s news release. All lawsuits between the two companies have been dismissed.
The April 2013, HTC found itself in violation of a microphone technology that was exclusive to Nokia devices. In December, a UK court ruled that the HTC One Mini could not be sold, but that ban was stayed pending appeal. In December, a German court banned the HTC One over patent issues. There have been other rulings as well.
We’ve got the full text of HTC’s release after the break.
HTC AND NOKIA SIGNED A PATENT AND TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION AGREEMENT
All Patent litigation between the companies dismissed
Taipei, Taiwan, February 7, 2014 — Nokia and HTC have settled all pending patent litigation between them, and entered into a patent and technology collaboration agreement. HTC will make payments to Nokia and the collaboration will involve HTC’s LTE patent portfolio, further strengthening Nokia’s licensing offering. The companies will also explore future technology collaboration opportunities. The full terms of the agreement are confidential.
“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,” said Paul Melin, chief intellectual property officer at Nokia. “This agreement validates Nokia’s implementation patents and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities.“
“Nokia has one of the most preeminent patent portfolios in the industry.” said Grace Lei, General Counsel of HTC. “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.”