Nokia targets RIM over mobile patent abuse

Nokia is to launch multiple patent lawsuits against Research in Motion (RIM) after an independent arbitration panel ruled the BlackBerry maker was in breach of contract over its use of mobile technology.

The Finnish phone maker revealed the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce tribunal's findings on Wednesday, claiming RIM was using cellular patents owned by Nokia without a licence.

"Nokia and RIM agreed a cross-licence for standards-essential cellular patents in 2003, which was amended in 2008. In 2011, RIM sought arbitration, arguing that the licence extended beyond cellular essentials. In November 2012, the arbitration tribunal ruled against RIM," a Nokia spokesman told V3.

"It found that RIM was in breach of contract and is not entitled to manufacture or sell WLAN products without first agreeing royalties with Nokia."

Nokia has already filed lawsuits against RIM in the UK, US and Canada "with the aim of ending RIM's breach of contract" Nokia added.

RIM declined V3's request for comment on the ruling and Nokia's claims.

Nokia and RIM's battle is one of many patent infringement case currently raging across the tech world.

The case is just another example of legal feuds in the mobile world, with Apple tied in litigation with several Android smartphone manufacturers, including Samsung.

The litigation has seen Samsung and Apple seek sales bans on numerous products including the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3.

In the US the litigation resulted in a record $1bn ruling against Samsung.