Interesting reading: the settlement btw Intel and AMD
You may have read in various places about the settlement between AMD and Intel, for example on EEtimes
here is the text of the settlement
Interesting reading !!!
Add comment November 13, 2009
Bye bye LiMo Foundation …. Welcome Areva T&D
October 31th was my last official day as General Counsel of LiMo Foundation … November 1st is my first day as Intellectual Property Legal Director of Areva T&D (http://www.areva-td.com).
Areva T&D is a company specialized in electricity transmission and distribution (smart grids) present in 100 countries (5 B EUR revenues, 30.000 employees).
This is a very exciting challenge, to contribute/lead their efforts to define their IPR strategy and I am definitively looking forward to it.
Add comment October 31, 2009
Apple is ready for the fight with Nokia
As reported by the Register, you can read the following in the 10K issued by Apple this week
Nokia Corporation v. Apple Inc.
Plaintiff Nokia Corporation filed this action against the Company on October 22, 2009 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,802,465, U.S. Patent No. 5,862,178, U.S. Patent No. 5,946,651, U.S. Patent No. 6,359,904, U.S. Patent No. 6,694,135, U.S. Patent No. 6,755,548, U.S. Patent No. 6,882,727, U.S. Patent No. 7,009,940, U.S. Patent No. 7,092,672, and U.S. Patent No. 7,403,621. The complaint alleges that these patents are essential to one or more of the GSM, UMTS and 802.11 wireless communications standards, and that the Company has the right to license these patents from plaintiff on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (“FRAND”) terms and conditions. Plaintiff seeks unspecified FRAND compensation and other relief. The Company’s response to the complaint is not yet due. The Company intends to defend the case vigorously.
It is interesting to notice that Apple has the right to secure a license at FRAND terms, this sentence suggests that Apple may develop some arguments about the validity of injunctive relief when it comes to essential patents.
Also to remember that Bruce Sewell previously at Intel recently joined Apple. Reading his bio, Bruce Sewell has some extensive experience in litigation around IPR and he is quite knowledgeable about the problematic of standards, essential IPR and litigation (I worked for him at Intel).
Add comment October 29, 2009
A fascinating blog by Axel Horns about Pfizer move away of billable hours
Read the blog here and the interview of Pfizer General Counsel
Quite fascinating model put in place by Pfizer under which they “forced” 16 law firms to develop a model of collaboration based on flat fees. What I find really true as in-house counsel is that the billable hours system does not promote solutions based counselling. In many cases, rather than to consider complex legal solutions, practical and easy solutions just achieve the very real objectives of corporation.
Add comment October 25, 2009
The war between Apple and Nokia is on !!!!
Reuters announced today that Nokia sued Apple for patent infringements for technologies related to wireless radios (e.g. GSM, UMTS …) and other technologies claiming that all iphones are infringing such patents.
According to Reuters “By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia’s intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia’s innovation,” Ilkka Rahnasto, Vice President for Legal & Intellectual Property at Nokia, said in a statement.”
It was quite obvious that Apple will have to negotiate patent licenses with traditional mobile players, such patent landscape being quite active for a long time … apparently discussion between Apple and Nokia are difficult
more here http://www.reuters.com/article/ousivMolt/idUSTRE59L3QU20091022
the official press statement by Nokia : http://www.nokia.com/press/press-releases/showpressrelease?newsid=1349562
Add comment October 22, 2009
