HTC and Nokia announced on Friday that they have entered into a "patent and technology collaboration agreement" that ends all existing lawsuits between the two companies. The two had been battling it out in courtrooms in several countries, and Nokia had asked courts to issue injunctions against a few of HTC's smartphones.
Under the agreement, HTC will pay Nokia to to use its patents, and the two companies will collaborate on future IP deals. "We are very pleased to have reached a settlement and collaboration with HTC, which is a long standing licensee for Nokia's standards essential products," Nokia chief intellectual officer Paul Melin said. HTC general council Grace Lei said that HTC is pleased with the outcome and that, through working with Nokia, the company will more easily "stay focused on innovation for consumers."
Neither Nokia nor HTC disclosed terms of the deal.
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HTC AND NOKIA SIGNED A PATENT AND TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION AGREEMENT
All Patent litigation between the companies dismissed
Taipei, Taiwan, February 7, 2014 — Nokia and HTC have settled all pending patent litigation between them, and entered into a patent and technology collaboration agreement. HTC will make payments to Nokia and the collaboration will involve HTC's LTE patent portfolio, further strengthening Nokia's licensing offering. The companies will also explore future technology collaboration opportunities. The full terms of the agreement are confidential.
"We are very pleased to have reached a settlement and collaboration agreement with HTC, which is a long standing licensee for Nokia's standards essential patents," said Paul Melin, chief intellectual property officer at Nokia. "This agreement validates Nokia's implementation patents and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities."
"Nokia has one of the most preeminent patent portfolios in the industry." said Grace Lei, General Counsel of HTC. "As an industry pioneer in smartphones with a strong patent portfolio, HTC is pleased to come to this agreement, which will enable us to stay focused on innovation for consumers."
About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corp. (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC's portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by the HTC Sense® user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.
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