Ericsson extends patent suits against Apple to Europe
Ericsson had already filed a complaint in mid-January in the United States against Apple.
(Reuters) - Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson has filed lawsuits in Germany, Britain and the Netherlands against Apple over technology license payments, Ericsson said on Friday, extending a U.S. battle between the firms to Europe.
Ericsson said it had offered to enter into arbitration with Apple to reach a global licensing agreement for its patents, but that offer had now expired.
"Apple continues to profit from Ericsson s technology without having a valid license in place," said Kasim Alfalahi, Chief Intellectual Property Officer at Ericsson.
"Our technology is used in many features and functionality of today s communication devices. We are confident the courts in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands will be able to help us resolve this matter in a fair manner," he added.
An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the legal action in the three European countries, which relates to 2G and 4G/LTE mobile communications standards and non-standardized technology, but referred to its statement in January.
"Unfortunately, we have not been able to agree with Ericsson on a fair rate for their patents so, as a last resort, we are asking the courts for help," part of that statement said.
Ericsson had already filed a complaint in mid-January in the United States against Apple, responding to a lawsuit from the iPhone maker.
Last year, smartphone maker Samsung Electronics Co agreed to pay Ericsson $650 million along with years of royalties to end a license dispute.
If the dispute with Apple also went Ericsson s way, the U.S. firm would have to pay it between 2-6 billion Swedish crowns ($240-725 million) annually, analysts said, based on estimates of levels of handset sales and royalty payments per phone.
