InterDigital goes after Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE
InterDigital files complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, alleging the companies violate patents related to 3G devices.
- SABEW Best in Business 2011 Award for Breaking News Coverage, Eddie Award in 2020 for 5G coverage, runner-up National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award for culture analysis.
InterDigital is taking aim at Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE, claiming the companies are illegally using its 3G wireless technology.
The developer of wireless technologies said today that it has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, seeking a ban on the importation of 3G phones, USB laptop sticks, mobile hot spots, tablets, and other wireless components from the three companies. The company separately filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court in Delaware.
The complaint is just the latest in a myriad of legal entanglements between technology companies, including scuffles between Apple and HTC and Samsung Electronics, and Kodak and Apple. Companies have in recent years opted to go with the ITC because the threat of an importation ban typically forces companies to agree to a resolution.
InterDigital says that despite "good faith" attempts to license its patents to Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE, the company has not come to an acceptable resolution.
Representatives for Nokia and Huawei weren't immediately available to respond to CNET's request for comment on the complaint.
ZTE said it has not received the complaint, and can not respond to the claim yet.
Nokia has traditionally struggled in the U.S. market with its phones, one impetus for its move to adopt Microsoft's Windows Phone platform for its devices.
Huawei and ZTE, meanwhile, are just starting to make headway into the U.S. market with its phones, starting with the prepaid carriers and moving their way up to the national players. The complaint could prove to be a setback for the Chinese companies.
Updated on July 27 at 6:10 a.m. PT: to include a comment from ZTE.