Nokia and Qualcomm to talk about cease-fire — MobileMonday Global: Industry News

^{Is the patent litigation solution is Delaware} Nokia and Qualcomm to talk about cease-fire

13 Jan 2008 at 19:01 GMT Timo Poropudas

Qualcomm and Nokia have agreed to a legal timeout in their row of patent disputes until they decide if a Delaware court is the best place to settle their differences.

The San Diego Union-Tribune called this development roughly an equivalent to choosing the shape of the table in the negotiations that ended the Vietnam War.

The paper reports that in a recent letter sent to Nokia, Qualcomm proposed a “stand down on all patent litigation,” pending negotiations that could move a contract arbitration and other issues before Delaware Chancery Court Judge Leo Strine Jr. The Delaware Court of Chancery exclusively hears business cases.

Strine said at a hearing Friday in Wilmington, Del., that he could schedule a one-week trial after the parties agree on the claims.

Qualcomm said in a statement that it was pleased Strine has shown interest in combining cases. A U.S. spokeswoman for Nokia did not respond to requests for comment.

Nokia filed a complaint against Qualcomm in Delaware Chancery Court in 2006, arguing that Qualcomm's licensing practices were anything but fair and reasonable.

Strine set a hearing for Jan. 25 on the status of the negotiations for a cease-fire and to suggest a trial schedule.