特許で勝ってアップルに屈したノキア

［Apple and Nokia patent dispute ends | Image］

[FT]特許で勝ってアップルに屈したノキア | 日本経済新聞

米アップルとの特許紛争を繰り広げてきた携帯電話機最大手のフィンランドのノキアは14日、アップルから特許使用料を受け取るという和解にこぎつけた。業績不振に苦しむノキアが、高機能携帯電話（スマートフォン）で急成長したライバル、アップルに一矢報いた形だ。しかし今回の和解は、技術力を誇る欧州の有力企業が数々のチャンスを逃してきたという痛ましい事実を改めて思い出させた。

Nokia wins the battle but faces a long war | FT.com

Nokia’s patent victory over Apple on Tuesday was hailed as a rare victory for the ailing Finnish mobile phone maker against its booming US rival.

Yet the agreement by Apple to pay Nokia for intellectual property used in the iPhone is also a painful reminder of missed opportunities for Europe’s best-known technology group.

Apple and Nokia settle patent dispute — see I told you so: Apple pays | FOSS Patents

The fact that Nokia has demonstrated its ability to defeat Apple — after the most bitterly contested patent dispute that this industry has seen to date — is a clear proof of concept. Other companies whom Nokia will ask to pay royalties will have to think very hard whether to pay or pick a fight.

This is also very significant with a view to Android. Given that Android is in many ways a rip-off of Apple’s operating software, Android-based devices are highly likely to infringe on largely the same Nokia patents that Apple now felt forced to pay for.

Nokia enters into patent license agreement with Apple | Nokia [Press Release]

The financial structure of the agreement consists of a one-time payment payable by Apple and on-going royalties to be paid by Apple to Nokia for the term of the agreement. The specific terms of the contract are confidential.

“We are very pleased to have Apple join the growing number of Nokia licensees,” said Stephen Elop, president and chief executive officer of Nokia. “This settlement demonstrates Nokia’s industry leading patent portfolio and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities in the mobile communications market.”