Ericsson has filed patent infringement lawsuits against British-based cell phone manufacturer Sendo in three countries. The complaint alleges Sendo's products violated Ericsson's patents covering GSM and GPRS technologies.
"Ericsson is the leading innovator in telecommunications and has made substantial investments in the development of various telecommunication standards," said Kasim Alfalahi, Vice President Patent Licensing. "As a result, we have built a strong portfolio of essential GSM and GPRS patents."
Ericsson allows GSM manufacturers to join its patent licensing program for a fee, provided it is on fair and reasonable terms.
"Basically, all we ask is that companies who use technology invented by Ericsson compensate us for this, the same way we are prepared to compensate others for our use of their technology," Kasim Alfalahi said. "We believe that Sendo is using Ericsson patented technology, but they have so far not signed a license agreement with Ericsson. Under these circumstances we have no choice but to take Sendo to court."
Sendo responded by filing a complaint with the European Union competition authorities claiming "unfair, anti-competitive, abusive and discriminatory basis leading to the charging of excessive royalty rates."
Seeking both an injunction against continuing sales, Ericsson plans to seek unspecified monetary damages as well.
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