FOSS Patents: SHOCKING: Nokia patents, other lawsuits force OPPO, OnePlus out of German market--first smartphone maker in history to exit major market over patent enforcement
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
The history of phones has been linked to patents ever since Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone in 1876. One of humanity's dreams materialized. Fast forward 146 years, and nothing short of a nightmare has come true: a very significant phone maker has actually exited--not merely threatened to exit--one of the largest markets in the world--Germany--as a result of patent assertions.
I became aware of this shortly after yesterday's post on two standard-essential patent (SEP) injunctions Nokia had just obtained against OPPO from the Munich I Regional Court. Previously, the Mannheim Regional Court had granted Nokia a non-SEP injunction in June as well as a a SEP injunction (over two patents from the same family) in July.
Nokia may win one or more additional injunctions on Tuesday. OPPO has its own countersuits pending, but those are taking longer.
