Smartphone Patents Are On The Line

Online, November 29, 2010 (Newswire.com) - CUPERTINO, Calif., (UPI) -- U.S. technology giant Apple is squaring off against Nokia in the first round of a series of International Trade Commission patent disputes.

PC Magazine reported Monday the legal tussling could redefine the smartphone market with Nokia standing to lose its right to sell its smartphone in the U.S. market or forced to pay Apple licensing rights to do so.

If Apple is found guilty of patent infringement, the reverse is true.

The disputes began when Nokia sued Apple over 10 of its patents and Apple countersued, claiming Nokia had violated 13 of its patents.

But the dispute is only the first of several.

Motorola and HTC also jumped into the fray, filing suits against Apple, the industry leader.

To manage its patent claims, Apple has hired former Intel attorney Bruce Sewell to serve as general counsel. It also added Noreen Krall, former Sun Microsystems attorney to its staff. Outside counsel include Robert Krupka, who advised the firm in 2005 over a $100 million settlement with Creative Labs and William Lee, who previously represented Broadcom, PC Magazine said.