Ericsson vs. Apple: Due to a legal dispute, a number of countries may ban the import and sale of the iPhone

By: Elena Shcherban | 25.01.2022, 18:18

Ericsson intends to sue Apple due to patent rights, which became a stumbling block between the parties. And this court can become a serious problem for Apple.

What was not shared?

What is the essence of the conflict? To clarify: the production of any mobile device requires the use of patented technologies. If you literally cannot build a device without licensing a patent, this is known as a Standard Patent (SEP). Ericsson owns a number of SEPs that Apple has licensed, along with other patents that are not considered necessary for the standards. However, Apple did not renew its licenses when they expired, likely hoping to negotiate a lower fee. Ericsson, in turn, was not satisfied with this, and she sued the Cupertinos.

As we know, the best defense is offense, so Apple filed a counterclaim due to some SEPs owned and operated by Ericsson. We are talking about three patents related to wireless charging and antennas. Apple claims that Ericsson mobile base stations infringe on these patents.

What's next?

Ericsson intends to seek a ban on importing iPhones to countries where it has filed lawsuits through the courts. Applications have been submitted in Brazil and the Netherlands, and the company is expected to do so in other European countries in the near future. Patent litigation expert Florian Mueller expects Ericsson to file a similar request next time in the UK.

By the way, Ericsson has previously sought a ban on iPhone imports. due to the same patents before Apple signed licensing agreements, and it is likely that the company will do the same again if a quick resolution is not reached.

A source: 9to5mac