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1 April 2019Patents

Daimler asks European Commission to investigate Nokia patents

German carmaker Daimler has lodged a complaint with the EU antitrust regulators against Nokia over patents essential to car communications.

The role that technology and telecom companies are playing in the auto industry is continuing to grow, as technologies such as autonomous vehicles and connected cars develop.

Daimler confirmed that it had complained to the European Commission.

“We want clarification on how essential patents for telecommunications standards are to be licensed in the automotive industry,” said Daimler.

It added: “Fair and non-discriminatory access to these standards for all users of the essential patents for telecommunications standards is a key prerequisite for the development of new products and services for connected driving.”

Nokia said that it began negotiations with automakers in 2015 and, since then, it’s had numerous meetings with them and suppliers.

“Our aim is to provide access to our innovations used in connected cars in line with existing practice and commitments for licensing standard-essential patents,” said Mark Durrant, a spokesperson for Nokia.

He added that Daimler has resisted taking a licence to the Nokia inventions it is already using and that these allegations are “simply the latest in a long series of actions to avoid taking a licence”.

“Despite the meritless accusations by Daimler, our door remains open for constructive dialogue aimed at finding a workable solution for Daimler and others in the automotive sector. We believe there is more to gain for all if we work together,” said Durrant.

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