Apple and Nokia call a truce with multi-year patent license

Finally, at least one patent lawsuit in the tech industry looks settled. We wish this was one of Uber's, but it relates to a litigation between Apple and former world number one mobile maker, Nokia that has been years in making.

The two companies said today that they’ve reached an agreement to end all litigation pertaining to the patent dispute signing a multi-year patent license.

Peace comes at a price

Nothing in this world comes for free. Well, a truce agreement is no exception either. Apple will not only be giving an upfront cash payment to Nokia but will also make additional payments during the term of the agreement.

Nokia's flurry of lawsuits stemmed from 32 technology patents in Germany and the US that cover patents for displays, user interfaces, software, antennas, chipsets and video coding.

“This is a meaningful agreement between Nokia and Apple,” said Maria Varsellona, Chief Legal Officer at Nokia, responsible for Nokia’s patent licensing business. “It moves our relationship with Apple from being adversaries in court to business partners working for the benefit of our customers.”

Beginning of a new collaboration

While the two companies haven't disclosed the value of the deal, according to the media release, while Nokia will be providing “certain network infrastructure product and services to Apple”, the Cupertino giant will once again begin carrying Nokia’s digital health products in its outlets both offline and online.

Additionally, both the firms will be holding regular summits between top executives to ensure that the relationship works seamlessly, benefiting both parties and customers. “This agreement will strengthen our collaboration,” said Basil Alwan, President of Nokia’s IP/Optical Networks business.

History of patent wars

Nokia and Apple have a tainted history going back to 2009 when former world number one sued Apple for patent violations. The Cupertino giant rebutted with a counter lawsuit but it all settled in 2011 when Apple paid an undisclosed amount and future royalties to Nokia for the use of its patents.

It all revived lat year when Nokia, once again sued Apple for 32 patent violations that spanned almost every version of iPhone—from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 3GS.

But thankfully everything is resolved now. “We are pleased with this resolution of our dispute and we look forward to expanding our business relationship with Nokia," added Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.