HELSINKI -- Nokia struck back at Google (GOOG) on Friday over its accusation that the cellphone maker was colluding with Microsoft to make money out of their patents.
"Though we have not yet seen the complaint, Google's suggestion that Nokia and Microsoft are colluding on intellectual property rights is wrong," Nokia spokesman Mark Durrant said on Friday.
"Both companies have their own intellectual property rights portfolios and strategies and operate independently."
He also said that some Android devices had "significant (intellectual property) infringement issues" relating to Nokia's patents.
Google, in a formal complaint to the European Commission, said Microsoft and Nokia had transferred 1,200 patents to MOSAID, a so-called "patent troll" which makes money by taking legal action over patent infringements.
Nokia and Microsoft cooperate on smartphones that compete with Google's Android devices. The Finnish phone maker shifted from its own Symbian software in favor of Microsoft Windows in February 2011.
Google's accusations highlight current cut-throat competition in the mobile phone business where companies, including Nokia, are fighting to assert intellectual property rights over wireless technologies.
Nokia's patents have become valuable and stable assets for the
company, particularly at a time when falling handset sales and a loss of market share threaten its future.Nokia has already sued Android device makers HTC and ViewSonic for infringing its patents and is expected to go after others.
Nokia already earns $618 million a year from its patent royalties in key areas of mobile telephony and some analysts have said a more determined application of its patent rights could boost its income by hundreds more millions of euros a year.
Microsoft said earlier that Google's complaint about antitrust in the smartphone industry was a "desperate tactic" from a company that controls more than 95 percent of mobile search and advertising.
Nokia & Microsoft Respond To Google’s Complaint Over Patent Trolling, Call It “Desperate” & “Wrong” - TechCrunch
Happy Friday, here’s some more patent trolling nonsense for you today: Google said on Thursday it had filed a complaint with the European Commission which claims cell phone maker Nokia is colluding with Microsoft to make money off their patents. The complaint states that the two companies are using proxy companies (read: patent trolls) to fight against Google Android.
Nokia has since called the complaint both “frivolous” and “wrong,” while Microsoft said it was a “desperate tactic.”
Specifically, Google cited Canada-based Mosaid Technologies as one of the proxies Microsoft and Nokia were using to enforce their patent rights. Mosaid acquired 1,200 Nokia patents in 2011, and has since been pursuing legal action over infringements. Google, however, had not yet been sued by Mosaid, saying the complaint was a preemptive measure. The concern on Google’s part is that if enough legal risk emerges for OEMs who want to build Android phones, they’ll simply turn to Windows Phone instead.
Google also reminded Nokia of its prior promise to not enforce IP rights against the Linux Kernel (the core of Google’s Android OS).
In a statement to the WSJ, a Google spokesperson said:
“Nokia and Microsoft are colluding to raise the costs of mobile devices for consumers, creating patent trolls that sidestep promises both companies have made. They should be held accountable, and we hope our complaint spurs others to look into these practices.”
Microsoft has since responded with a statement of its own:
“Google is complaining about patents when it won’t respond to growing concerns by regulators, elected officials and judges about its abuse of standard-essential patents, and it is complaining about antitrust in the smartphone industry when it controls more than 95 per cent of mobile search and advertising. This seems like a desperate tactic on their part.”
For its part, Nokia stated that it and Microsoft keep their IP separate, and decide independently of each other what their patent strategies are. Nokia also noted that it has “made regular patent divestments over the last five years. “In each case, any commitments made for standards-essential patents transfer to the acquirer and existing licences for the patents continue,” the company said.
In addition, a Nokia spokesperson speaking to Reuters said, “though we have not yet seen the complaint, Google’s suggestion that Nokia and Microsoft are colluding on intellectual property rights is wrong.”
Nokia Siemens Networks Completes Microwave Transport Business Sale - FOXBusiness
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Network equipment vendor Nokia Siemens Networks (NOK, SI) said Friday it has completed the divestment of its microwave transport business, including associated operational support systems and related support functions, to DragonWave, Inc. (DRWI).Nokia 710 price slashed to £99.95 at Carphone Warehouse - Know Your Mobile
The Nokia Lumia 710's price has been slashed to under £100 at the Carphone Warehouse, meaning Microsoft now has a viable ultra-affordable Windows Phone on its hands.
The Lumia 710 was the second Windows Phone handset Nokia launched, following closely behind the Nokia Lumia 800, and was designed to be Nokia’s ‘budget’ Windows Phone. But at £250 it was still a little too pricey to be considered truly affordable.
To make a big splash with Windows Phone, Microsoft and Nokia needed a sub-£100 handset to compete with the hoards of ultra-affordable Android handsets that are now readily available practically everywhere.
Nokia and Microsoft, thanks to Carphone Warehouse, now have that price-point covered, which could mean big things for Windows Phone in the UK.
The Lumia 710 is a far superior handset to many of its similarly priced Android-powered counterparts, featuring an excellent 3.7-inch Clear Black display, a 1.4GHz processor, 5-megapixel camera and well designed, albeit slightly plasticky, chassis.
This ‘Pre-pay Pay Day’ deal will be available for the next seven days (1st – 7th June) on Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone prepay, says Carphone Warehouse.
Lets hope this is a sign of things to come and not just a quick way to get rid of inventory.
DragonWave Closes Acquisition of Nokia Siemens Networks' Microwave Transport Business - Yahoo Finance
OTTAWA, CANADA--(Marketwire -06/01/12)- DragonWave Inc. (DWI.TO)(DRWI) today announced the closing of the acquisition of Nokia Siemens Networks' microwave transport business including its associated operational support system (OSS) and related support functions. The acquisition was effected pursuant to the Amended and Restated Master Acquisition Agreement between DragonWave Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary DragonWave S.a r.l. and Nokia Siemens Networks dated May 3, 2012 (the "Master Acquisition Agreement").
Nokia Siemens Networks retains responsibility for its existing solution sales and associated services for microwave transport, while DragonWave is responsible for the microwave transport product line, including R&D, product management and operations functions. As previously announced on May 3, 2012, Nokia Siemens Networks will continue to provide R&D and other support to the business through a services arrangement.
As part of the acquisition, DragonWave is now the preferred strategic supplier of packet microwave and related products to Nokia Siemens Networks and the two companies will jointly coordinate technology development activities. DragonWave plans to rebrand the products acquired from Nokia Siemens Networks as "Harmony" products. Under the terms of the Master Acquisition Agreement, DragonWave will continue the support and development of these products, which will also be sold via Nokia Siemens Networks under the FlexiPacket brand through its existing channels as part of its end-to-end mobile broadband solution set.
"In closing this acquisition, we've established a new level of collaboration with Nokia Siemens Networks that positions DragonWave strategically for continued growth," said DragonWave President and CEO Peter Allen. "The new Harmony line we're adding to our portfolio is backed by unmatched service and support and further bolsters our ability to participate in the tremendous growth in LTE networks worldwide."
The business was acquired by one of DragonWave's wholly-owned subsidiaries, DragonWave S.a r.l. The purchase price consists of EUR10.6 million in cash, subject to customary post-closing adjustments, and 2,000,978 common shares of DragonWave. Under the Master Acquisition Agreement, Nokia Siemens Networks is subject to a lock-up restricting sale or disposition of the shares, subject to customary exceptions. The Master Acquisition Agreement also includes a capital lease or similar deferred sale agreement from Nokia Siemens Networks to DragonWave of approximately EUR3.9 million of equipment.
Concurrently with the closing of the acquisition, DragonWave has also established a new credit facility with Comerica Bank and Export Development Canada. The credit facility is available to finance the completion of the acquisition and DragonWave's working capital requirements. The credit facility is for a total of US$40 million, of which DragonWave has drawn US$35 million as of June 1, 2012. DragonWave also has access, subject to ongoing compliance with borrowing covenants, to US $20 million in additional credit (for total maximum credit of US $60 million). The new credit facility matures on May 31, 2014 and is secured by a first-priority charge on all of the assets of DragonWave and its principal direct and indirect subsidiaries. Borrowing options under the credit facility include US dollar, Canadian dollar and Eurodollar loans. Interest rates vary with market rate fluctuations, with loans bearing interest in the range of 3-4% above the applicable base rates. The terms of the credit facility include other customary terms, conditions, covenants, and representations and warranties.
The acquisition of certain Chinese operations associated with the business is expected to be completed in the second half of 2012, subject to compliance with local Chinese regulatory requirements. Approximately 130 employees of Nokia Siemens Networks based in Shanghai (China) are expected to transfer to DragonWave once the closing of the acquisition of operations in China is complete.
Canaccord Genuity Corp. acted as exclusive financial advisor to DragonWave.
About DragonWave
DragonWave is a leading provider of high-capacity microwave solutions that drive next-generation IP networks. DragonWave's carrier-grade point-to-point packet microwave systems transmit broadband voice, video and data, enabling service providers, government agencies, enterprises and other organizations to meet their increasing bandwidth requirements rapidly and affordably. The principal application of DragonWave's products is wireless network backhaul. Additional solutions include leased line replacement, last mile fiber extension and enterprise networks. DragonWave's corporate headquarters is located in Ottawa, Ontario, with sales locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America. For more information, visit http://www.dragonwave.com.
DragonWave® and Horizon® are registered trademarks of DragonWave Inc.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements as to growth opportunities and the potential benefits associated with DragonWave's acquisition of the microwave transport business including its associated operational support system (OSS) and related support functions (collectively, the "Business") for either Nokia Siemens Networks or DragonWave (referred to below as the "parties") and expectations regarding the business relationship between the parties. Forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions, including: the parties' beliefs regarding the industry and markets in which they operate and expectations regarding potential synergies and prospects for the Business. This forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "foresee", "target", "estimate", "designed", "plans", "will" or similar expressions. This acquisition is subject to risks and uncertainties including: that the expected synergies will not materialize, that unexpected costs will be incurred to integrate the Business, or that end-customer demand will not meet expectations. In particular, material risks and uncertainties for DragonWave following closing of the acquisition will include, without limitation:
-- reliance on Nokia Siemens Networks for a large percentage of DragonWave's revenues; -- increased cash requirements to fund acquired operations, and associated requirements to comply with debt financing covenants with DragonWave's lenders, which should be understood in light of DragonWave's history of losses; -- increased exposure to global currency fluctuations; -- increased regulatory compliance obligations, including financial reporting obligations; and -- risks associated with acquisitions generally as detailed on pages 19 to 21 of DragonWave's Annual Information Form dated May 11, 2012 (the "AIF").
Other risks relating to DragonWave's business and industry can be found in the public documents filed by DragonWave with U.S. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the AIF. These and other risks could cause DragonWave's actual results, performance, achievements and developments to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. DragonWave assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law.
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