Manufacturers sued over Bluetooth wireless technology

A foundation named the Washington Research Institute claims the technology infringes on patented work carried out at the University of Washington and has sued Matsushita Electric of Japan, Samsung Electronics of South Korea and Finnish firm Nokia.

The lawsuit was filed in December and seeks unspecified damages, according to reports.

Michael Lisa, the foundation's principal lawyer said it "will not refuse reasonable settlements, but if we don't get an offer to do so, we are going to trial," according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer .

The suit alleges that computers, mobile phones and headsets made by the three companies violate four patents held by the foundation. All three manufacturers use chipsets made by UK firm CSR PLC, of Cambridge, which has not licensed the technology, the foundation claims. µ