Apple and Ericsson avoid a tedious trial that was scheduled for 2023!
While Apple isn’t afraid to resolve its claims in front of the authorities, doing so behind closed doors is arguably the best option. And this second alternative was chosen in the latest dispute with Ericsson, which even jeopardized the sale of the iPhone.
Although the patent history between Apple and Swedish manufacturer Ericsson is not new, the discussion that could have brought the two companies to court in mid-2023 focused on the granting of patents for the technology of mobile radio required in devices with Apple 5G connectivity.
But finally, The two emporiums have entered into an agreement that includes “cross-licensing of proprietary cellular standard core technologies and grants other patent rights.” At least that’s what a press release signed by Ericsson says, without Apple commenting publicly on this agreement between the companies.
New licensing agreement frees Apple from new lawsuit
Apple and Ericsson settle after patent lawsuit
This isn’t the first time Apple has gone up against other big companies over patent issues, and while the threat to ban device sales has always been there, it’s never reached that point. point.
In fact, in 2015, Apple and Ericsson once had an altercation and filed lawsuits against each other, which led Ericsson to seek a ban on the iPhone in the United States.
Apple and Ericsson reached an agreement in December 2015, which fully resolved the feuds between the two companies. The license agreement covering 2G, 3G and 4G technologies was in effect until the end of the year, but did not include 5G technology.
However, in October 2021, the two companies filed lawsuits against each other. Ericsson even went so far as to call for a ban on iPhone imports. Apple has accused Ericsson of “rough tactics” in negotiations to license proprietary communications technology.
This new agreement now ends lawsuits filed by these companies in various countries, including in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, as well as complaints filed with the United States International Trade Commission. (USITC).
Now both the Swedish company and the North American have mutually agreed to strengthen their technological and commercial collaborationparticularly in the areas of technology, interoperability and standards development.
