PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Apple is been recruiting top legal talent ahead of a critical show down with Nokia before the International Trade Commission regarding ongoing patent disputes between the two companies.
Nokia kicked off the dispute by filing patent infringement action alleging that Apple is infringing upon 10 Nokia patents regarding wireless communication standards.
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple has hired the legal firm WilmerHale for the upcoming dispute, the lawyers which had previously won a case for Broadcom versus rival telco chipmaker Qualcomm which resulted in Qualcomm paying Broadcom a reported $891 million.
Apple has also recruited Robert Krupka of law firm Kirkland & Ellis, involved in a legal settlement with Creative regarding the Zen mp3 player and and Matt Powers of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP who has had notable drug company patent wins to his name.
The IP stakes in smartphones are high indeed for the involved companies, with the most likely outcome some form of settlement which will encompass an agreement to cross license their technology. Apple has accused Nokia of using the action to gain access to Apple technology, a claim Nokia denies.
