Nokia sue Apple over iPad 3G

Nokia's ongoing legal spat with Apple has taken a tablet turn for the worse today, with the news that the Finnish company are now setting their lawyers on the iPad WiFi + 3G as well as the iPhone.  According to a Nokia press release, the company alleges that Apple have impinged on five "important" patents, relating to "enhanced speech and data transmission, using positioning data in applications and innovations in antenna configurations."

Those patents, Nokia reckon, are what help them make such small devices, together with improving performance and design.  "We have taken this step to protect the results of our pioneering development" says Paul Melin, general manager of patent licensing at the company, "and to put an end to continued unlawful use of Nokia's innovation."

In fact, Nokia reckons they've spent €40bn on R&D over the past 20 years, and they think Apple are trampling all over it with their big i-prefixed boots.  Previously they've alleged that Apple have infringed patents with all of their phones, PMPs and computers while Apple also have an ongoing suit against Nokia having alleged that the Finns "must compete with us by inventing their own technologies, not just by stealing ours."

Press Release:

Nokia sues Apple in Wisconsin for infringement of Nokia patents
May 07, 2010

Espoo, Finland – Nokia announced that it has today filed a complaint against Apple with the Federal District Court in the Western District of Wisconsin, alleging that Apple iPhone and iPad 3G products infringe five important Nokia patents.

The patents in question relate to technologies for enhanced speech and data transmission, using positioning data in applications and innovations in antenna configurations that improve performance and save space, allowing smaller and more compact devices. These patented innovations are important to Nokia's success as they allow improved product performance and design.

"Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in mobile devices" said Paul Melin, General Manager, Patent Licensing at Nokia. "We have taken this step to protect the results of our pioneering development and to put an end to continued unlawful use of Nokia's innovation."

During the last two decades, Nokia has invested approximately EUR 40 billion in research and development and built one of the wireless industry's strongest and broadest IPR portfolios, with over 11,000 patent families. Nokia is a world leader in the development of handheld device and mobile communications technologies, which is also demonstrated by Nokia's strong patent portfolio.