AT&T Seeks Non-Infringement Ruling on Cell Phone System Patent
Seattle, Washington, Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- AT&T Wireless Services Inc., the world's top cellular phone system operator, asked a federal judge to rule it's not infringing a mobile phone system patent held by GTE Wireless Inc. by using phones made by the No. 1 cell phone maker, Nokia Oyj of Finland.
In a suit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle Oct. 29, Redmond, Washington-based AT&T Wireless claims Alpharetta, Georgia-based GTE has already accused Nokia and may accuse AT&T of infringing a GTE patent awarded in March for a system containing remotely programmable cell phones.
AT&T also says Nokia has indicated it will ultimately hold AT&T responsible for GTE's claims of infringement because Nokia makes cell phones for the AT&T system.
''AT&T's sales of Nokia cellular telephones will likely be adversely affected by the continuing threats'' by GTE of patent infringement, AT&T says in the suit. The company asks a judge to rule that neither AT&T, nor Nokia's phones, infringe the GTE patent, and to award damages and legal fees.
Officials of GTE, whose shares rose 1/16 to 73 15/16, could not immediately be reached to comment on the suit. Shares of New York-based AT&T Corp. rose 5/16 to 46. American depositary receipts of Nokia fell 2 1/16 to 120 3/16 in New York.
Where does QCOM fit into this? Will QCOM run in to the same patent infringment?
Greg |
