Ericsson on Friday announced it is suing Apple for patent infringement after the companies failed to renew a licensing agreement covering various technologies.
In all, the patents cover 41 components and design features used in Apple’s iPhones and iPads. Some are standard essential patents related to 2G, 3G and 4G technology, while others – such as the design of semiconductor components, user interface software, applications and location services – are critical to the functionality of Apple’s devices.
"Apple’s products benefit from the technology invented and patented by Ericsson’s engineers. Features that consumers now take for granted like – being able to livestream television shows or access their favourite apps from their phone – rely on the technology we have developed," said Kasim Alfalahi, chief intellectual property officer at Ericsson, in a statement.
Apple has been using Ericsson’s patented tech under a licence that expired last month. Despite two years of negotiation, the companies failed to reach a new deal.
The dispute appears to stem from the fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms under which Ericsson offered to license its patents.
In January, Apple petitioned a court in California to find that it does not infringe Ericsson’s patents. In response, Ericsson filed a lawsuit in a Texas court seeking an independent ruling on whether its patent-licensing offer was consistent with generally-acceptable FRAND terms.
Ericsson alleged on Friday that Apple refused all attempts to renew their agreement, so now it is taking legal action.
The company has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade C ommission requesting an exclusion order against Apple products that infringe Ericsson’s standard essential patents.
Ericsson has also file a separate ITC complaint, as well as multiple complaints with the District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, seeking damages and injunctions against Apple products that infringe Ericsson’s other, non-standard essential patents.
"We are committed to sharing our innovations and have acted in good faith to find a fair solution," Alfalahi insisted. "Apple currently uses our technology without a licence and therefore we are seeking help from the court and the ITC."
