Ericsson sues Samsung over patents

This time Ericsson is accusing Samsung of continued use of its patented technology after a cross licensing agreement expired on December 31st 2005. The dispute relates to 11 mobile phone patents.

Gary Pinkham, investor relations manager at Ericsson, told AFX News, "Our cross licensing agreement with Samsung expired last year, and we haven't been able to agree on a new agreement, and in the meantime they've continued to use our patents."

He adds, "It's more a matter to make them stop using our patents if they're not going to license them at a reasonable price." That's the rub. What exactly is a reasonable price?

Samsung is under pressure in the mobile handset arena since it is losing ground to Motorola and Nokia - particularly since all the action is now in emerging markets where competing on price is essential.

And Ericsson's former mobile phone arm - Sony Ericsson - has surged back past LG and now has Samsung in its sights.

See also Nokia sales up 22 per cent. µ