Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has yet another legal battle on its hands, on the topic of licensing. This time the battle is against Stockholm-based mobile phone maker Ericsson AB.
Apple Inc. has in January, filed against Ericsson seeking royalties for a license which it calls ‘fundamental technology.’ The suit was filed when Apple Inc. and Ericsson failed to reach an agreement, after one of the licenses expired. Apple has sought from the court to know if Ericsson’s royalty demands are ‘fair and reasonable.’
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) had refused arbitration to arrive at proper rates, despite Ericsson’s offer. It also refused to abide by any decisions, Ericsson officials claim.
Ericsson on the other hand point out that Apple has infringed on over 41 patents on the ‘fundamental ways’ of mobile device communication technologies. These include user interfaces, operating systems as well as battery saving technologies. Ericsson now has seven new lawsuits filed in the US courts against Apple Inc.. It has also appealed to the US International Trade Commission, not to allow Apple products in US markets.
Ericsson justifies the court filing, as it claims that Apple Inc. turned down a license it had offered. Ericsson’s Chief Intellectual Property Officer, Kasim Alfalahi, stated that, his company was not willing to extract any more than the ‘value’ of the technology license they offer.
Apple Inc. has brought to head, certain inner mechanisms of the technology world to broad daylight. The younger generation of developers and product makers have to pay, what they feel is, ‘expensive’ license fees to older generation of technology creators on the fundamental phone operations, for use on complex devices.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) claims are disputed because only one of the seven lawsuits relate to ‘standard-essential’ patent. Apple Inc. has been making products such as iPhone, iPad as well others in its Asian production facilities.
