Ericsson Sues Apple Over Patent Infringement
January 18 2022 - 8:42AM
Dow Jones News
By Dominic Chopping
STOCKHOLM--Ericsson AB has filed a number of patent infringement
lawsuits against Apple Inc. for using its technology in products
such as its iPhones without a license.
Fallouts in the telecom industry aren't uncommon, as so much
technology is shared in communication equipment, and these most
recent lawsuits, filed Monday, are the latest in a line of spats
between the companies as they argue over royalty payments.
With the rapid development of all-new technology to power 5G and
the huge costs involved, developers are keen to ensure they recoup
costs via royalties when their technology is used by others.
Apple first licensed Ericsson's patents in 2008 when it released
the first iPhone. When that deal expired, a 2015 complaint by
Ericsson against Apple led to another global cross-license deal
between the companies, but those licenses have now expired after
talks to renew the deal at the end of 2021 failed.
In October last year Ericsson sued Apple, seeking a declaration
that the 5G licensing rate it offered Apple was fair, reasonable,
and non-discriminatory, noting that the rate of between $2.50 and
$5.00 for each 5G handset sold was set in 2017 to offer licensees
transparency and predictability.
Apple counter sued in December, claiming the Swedish company was
using "strong-arm tactics" to renew patents.
"Ericsson has filed a number of lawsuits against Apple for
patent infringement in multiple jurisdictions," Ericsson said in an
emailed statement Tuesday.
"Since the prior agreement has expired, and we have been unable
to reach agreement on the terms and scope of a new license, Apple
is now using our technology without a license."
Ericsson spends around $5 billion on research and development
every year and has been granted more than 57,000 patents
world-wide. Its technology is licensed through more than 100
licensing agreements, which currently generate around 7 billion
Swedish kronor ($776.5 million) of annualized revenues.
Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 18, 2022 09:27 ET (14:27 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024