ST Microelectronics allegedly provided parts designed by, and for Nokia's sole use to the Taiwanese manufacturer
An Amsterdam district court has granted Nokia an preliminary injunction based on the hardware components in HTC's new One phone. It seems the dual-membrane microphone setup in HTC's latest was manufactured using technology "exclusively for Nokia" by ST Microelectronics.
According to sources at Engadget, ST used patented tech and breached an NDA between themselves and Nokia to build the microphone, which shares a common identifying number between the components used in the HTC One and the Lumia 720. While there is a very good chance that Nokia will also pursue action against ST Microelectronics, the first step is to try and put a halt to the sale of devices that have the offending parts inside. In a statement to Engadget, HTC says they are "disappointed in the decision", and "are considering whether it will have any impact on our business and we will explore alternative solutions immediately."
In Nokia's defense (though they don't need any), this is different from squabbles over software patents. If what they are saying is true, ST had no business selling the fruits of Nokia R&D to any company other than Nokia, and they deserve ample compensation. But HTC is the last company that can afford to be caught in the crossfire of this sort of mess.
Source: Engadget; via: WP Central
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/XBN9YHP79k8/story01.htm
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