Nokia Makes Interim Payment to Qualcomm for UMTS Patents

Nokia has announced that it has paid Qualcomm US$20 million for patent licenses covering the second quarter 2007. Nokia's obligations to pay license fees under its old agreements partially expire on April 9, 2007.

Nokia says that the payment announced today does not extend, and is not related to, the old agreement. Rather, it is based on the licenses that Qualcomm has agreed and provided through the European Telecommunication Standardization Institute (ETSI).

"As we continue to negotiate the new cross-license agreement, Nokia views this payment as fair and reasonable compensation for the use of relevant Qualcomm essential patents in Nokia UMTS handsets during the second quarter of 2007. Nokia believes that Qualcomm's patent portfolio is concentrated in the United States, and that it has few or no alleged UMTS patents in many of the countries in which Nokia has substantial UMTS handset sales. When Qualcomm's early patents become paid-up and royalty-free on April 9, 2007 Qualcomm's share of all patents relevant to Nokia UMTS handsets will significantly decrease", said Rick Simonson, chief financial officer, Nokia.

Nokia intends to make similar payments in the future and will announce such payments when they are made.

Nokia has until 2007 paid less than 3 per cent cumulative license fees under all of its patent license agreements involving WCDMA products.

Nokia retains the right to ask Qualcomm, and its customers, to respect Nokia's patents rights. The retained rights have significant value, and Nokia believes it is well positioned to offset any claims Qualcomm may make against Nokia products to claim more money in license fees.

"It is important to note that as of April 9, 2007, Qualcomm's entire chipset business becomes exposed to Nokia's extensive GSM, WCDMA and CDMA patent portfolios and Nokia will use all rights from those portfolios when defending itself against any new Qualcomm litigation", Simonson concluded."

Posted to the site on 5th April 2007