Oppo asks Nokia to end patent-fee row after local court sides with the Chinese smartphone maker’s request for lower fees
- A Chongqing court supports Oppo’s petition to set lower royalty rates for Nokia’s standard essential patents for 5G technology
- Chinese companies are trying to have a bigger say in price setting, as they become more prominent patent holders, an Oppo lawyer says
Chinese smartphone brand Oppo has urged Finnish electronics giant Nokia to follow the global 5G royalty rates set by a local court and put an end to their patent-fee feud, as Beijing flexes its legal muscles in cross-border disputes.
The Chongqing First Intermediate People’s Court supported Oppo’s petition to set lower royalty rates for Nokia’s standard essential patents (SEPs) for 2G to 5G technologies, according to the ruling made public on Thursday.
SEPs are essential for products to comply with industry standards.
Oppo said in a statement that it welcomed the court’s decision and called on Nokia to comply, “so that both parties can promptly return to constructive negotiations”.
In response to the Post’s inquiry, Nokia said it would appeal the ruling, which “is limited to the Chinese jurisdiction only and as such represents only one view.”
“Courts outside of China have confirmed that Oppo is in breach of its commitments as a user of Nokia’s technology in open standards ... We remain confident of our position in the overall dispute and are hoping to resolve the matter soon,” it added.
