HTC One hit with preliminary injunction in Netherlands over Nokia microphone technology

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It may not be another patent dispute, but that doesn’t mean HTC hasn’t landed themselves in hot water once again. The manufacturer of one of the best Android devices to date may have unknowingly placed a giant target on their backs with the release of the One. Nokia was granted a preliminary injunction against the HTC One in the Netherlands over its use of a “high-amplitude microphone,” a Nokia owned component.

According to Nokia, this technology was to be manufactured exclusively for them by ST Electronics and is a breach of their signed NDA (non-disclosure agreement). While it sounds like it’s more ST Electronics’ fault than anyone, apparently it’s still very much HTC’s problem and those looking to pick up an HTC One from the Netherlands in the near future. HTC issued this quick statement to Engadget:

“HTC is disappointed in the decision. We are considering whether it will have any impact on our business and we will explore alternative solutions immediately.”

Nokia’s press release publicly called for HTC to stop “copying” them. Yes, the very same argument you had with your siblings as children. Let’s hope this ends quickly but not at the cost of functionality or quality found in the HTC One.

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Chris Chavez
I've been obsessed with consumer technology for about as long as I can remember, be it video games, photography, or mobile devices. If you can plug it in, I have to own it. Preparing for the day when Android finally becomes self-aware and I get to welcome our new robot overlords.

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31 Comments

  1. Nokia is just using this to vain publicity

    1. anything to bring attention to that ancient relic of mobile computing, its like the commodore of mobile phones.

      1. Huh? Mobile computing is a relic how?

        1. He means Nokia is. GeezZ! Don’t kill a an awesome pun!

          1. Says the poster who doesn’t know how to use vowels :-)

  2. >”Nokia’s press release publicly called for HTC to stop ‘copying’ them”

    Seems like Nokia is trying desperately to take a jab at any of their competitors, in any way they can, in hopes of them getting an actual market share with phones that have a failing OS on it…
    Maybe it’s time for Nokia to jump into the Android market sphere, or they’ll continue to be a failing company, putting a failing OS on their devices.

  3. Nokia, lol copying claim…no way HTC copied you because your designs are hideous. The HTC 8X blows the socks off anything you have ever made and anyone with a good design eye can plainly see that the 8X is not even a close resemblance to the 920.

    1. As I’ve said on other websites, the depth of your knowledge doesn’t go beyond the shell.

      1. U mad bro? Nokia is just pissed HTC is beating it at its own game, better screen, better camera than 920, better speakers, better designed phone overall. Nokia is just sitting there watching Android take up all its customers, wondering what it could of been had they turned down Elop, Microsoft and embraced Android.

        1. He was talking about the 8X (Windows Phone), and on the other site, he was boasting how the iphone designs beats everything. You be the judge.

          If you want to debate about why Nokia should have went with Android, I suggest you actually do a bit more research into Nokia’s strengths vs Android. For the advocates that suggests Nokia would be better off embracing Android are short-sighted people who have 0 patience. As a consumer, it is easy to see why that is the case, but for a manufacturer, you have to think long term.

  4. Dont smart phones share internal components with other phones like ALL THE TIME…. ?

    1. Yes, but Nokia is saying that this is technology they developed and out sourced the production to another company to make it. That company turned around and sold them to another phone company with out any license agreement with Nokia.

      It would be like Intel out sourcing some of their manufacturing of one of their processors, then that manufacture sells it to AMD.

      1. in that case Intel would sue the manufacturer, not AMD who might have no idea its being sold proprietary IP.

    2. Its god damn true for pcs laptops microwaves and blurays! This is complete BULLSHITTTT, PATHETIC JELLOUS DESPARSTE VOULCHER BULLSHIT!

  5. Why rant they suing the company that sold the parts to HTC? If they had an agreement with them it’s the other companies fault not HTC. Nokia is desperate.

    1. Logic would tell you that should of been the first company they went after.

  6. whats a nokia ? lol

    1. An awesome phone, I love my 920 :) The One is awesome too, I have one of those as well, and I hope these companies can come to a solution quickly instead of dragging the consumer into the fight once again. It sounds like the chip maker is at fault, NOT HTC.

  7. So Nokia dumps cash into R&D for this technology and contracts a company to make it just for them. The company then goes and sells the product to HTC. Not sure how Nokia is the bad guy here, It’s definitely ST that is to blame and Nokia would be foolish not to protect their technology.

    1. Then why isn’t ST in the law suite as well? I agree if the story is true, Nokia has a legit case, but there is a party missing.

      1. STMicro will have to pay Nokia €50,000 (£43,000) for each microphone sold to others, up to a maximum of €1m. The company said it was considering alternative solutions.

        1. nokia=microsoft= the biggest patenttroll we are forcing you to Bing and IE :)

    2. It’s highly doubtful that ST would release this tech to HTC if Nokia’s claims were accurate.

      Given that the injunction Nokia received is temporary, it would suggest that the case has a good chance of going against Nokia on appeal. Of course, a six month or year long court fight without sales would kill HTC, so HTC would have little choice but to pay Nokia.

      Unfortunately for Nokia, winning this case isn’t going to get consumers to want the Lumia, which is selling dismally.

      1. The injunction, according to quotes in the article linked below, extends to ST Micro being able to sell the part in question.

        http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22263014

  8. What’s obviously clear here is that Samsung paid off Nokia to give HTC trouble. Knock out your upcoming rival while staying out of the press. A win-win situation.

    /s

    1. Now you’re thinking! I was thinking you know, they must sabotage a few units, trace them, call them up or buy them then take appart and say , LOOK they buy from same Costco as me, my business is dead, it was doing amazing just yesterday ovih!….I just said this on another thread, but it can be as well. Nasty nasty stuff

  9. I’m sure HTC/Apple have a few pattents of their own, and will reply shortly, nokia really wants to die, Microsoft, you can’t help it just let it go

  10. I would expect that HTC is also busy rummaging through its patent portfolio and preparing to file injunctions against various Nokia products — including upcoming devices — as a “return favor.” This tactic likely contributed to the eventual settlement between Apple and HTC when they started their fight with each other.

    1. I think it highly unlikely that HTC has any mobile technology patents it can use against Nokia. Between Nokia & Motorola, they invented pretty much everything.

  11. Damn Nokia stop listening to Microsoft it is not the only way to stay relevant.

  12. Looks like HTC needs to file a case to reclaim damages from ST Electronics. Nokia is not in the wrong here, but neither is HTC. ST Electronics owes both companies some money.

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