Nokia, the Finnish telecom giant, has announced that it is suing Amazon and HP in five global jurisdictions, including the United States and India, over patent infringements on video-related technologies. According to Nokia’s chief licensing officer, Arvin Patel, the company has been in discussions with both Amazon and HP for several years, but litigation was necessary due to their refusal to comply with the rules followed by others in the industry.
The lawsuits against Amazon were also filed in Germany, Britain, and at the EU’s patent court. Nokia claims that Amazon’s Prime Video service and certain devices are in violation of its patents pertaining to video compression, content delivery, content recommendation, and hardware-related aspects. The company stated that the streaming market is projected to reach a value of US$300 billion (RM1.43 trillion) by 2027, highlighting the disparity between the investment in developing the technology and the benefits reaped from it.
Nokia emphasized that it has successfully reached agreements on technology with other major device makers such as Apple and Samsung. The company expressed a preference for amicable agreements with companies that utilize its technology and stated that it is open to constructive negotiations.
This lawsuit comes at a time when Nokia is facing challenges in its business. Earlier in the month, the company announced plans to cut up to 14,000 jobs as profits declined due to weakening demand for its 5G equipment in North America.
Nokia’s legal action against Amazon and HP underscores the significance of intellectual property protection in the tech industry. Patent infringements not only hinder innovation but also have financial implications for companies that invest considerable resources in the development of technology. As the streaming market continues to grow, it is crucial for technology companies to enforce their patent rights and seek fair compensation for the use of their inventions.
It remains to be seen how these lawsuits will unfold and whether Nokia will be able to reach a resolution with Amazon and HP through this legal process. However, this case serves as a reminder that respecting intellectual property rights is vital for maintaining a fair and competitive technology sector.
