And now OnePlus and its parent company Oppo are again in a new round of patent law, in this case, while still recuperating from their last battle with Nokia, which forces their devices to a temporary ban in Germany. The dispute was just few months old, but yet another fight has erupted from that sector, and this time it involves the company InterDigital that harbors key patents relating to 5G and other key mobile technologies.
The legal tussle reminds one of the earlier battles between InterDigital and Nokia, for instance, which centered on essential patents for mobile communications. And disputes over such matters have become quite recurring for tech firms that operate in fiercely competitive markets, as OnePlus knows only too well.
Currently, OnePlus smartphones do not sell on their German online store anymore, although other categories have been left unchanged, including accessories as well as wearables. This seems to indicate that the major issue here is the technology surrounding the 5G. As much as this problem has been witnessed to spread, at present, it’s not clear when OnePlus will start selling smartphones again in the country.
In addressing the matter, OnePlus released an official statement:
“OnePlus places high value on intellectual property rights and fair access to standard essential patents, which is essential for driving innovation in the industry. We will continue to negotiate with InterDigital and wish to solve this matter in an amicable way. Meanwhile, our commitment in Europe remains unchanged, and we will continue to provide excellent products and services to our users.”
At least for the fans of the brand in Germany, this would certainly be no very comforting situation and especially so, those who might want to upgrade to or purchase OnePlus mobile phones. The company, on the other hand, appears optimistic and is working on getting an agreement, intending to keep the business running across Europe.
Regardless, this latest one is a reminder of legal complexities that technology companies have to go through, especially in an environment where patents form a core aspect of innovation and competition. Going forward, it would quite evidently bring forward the issue of disputes like this affecting companies involved but also impact customers to whom they cater to their needs.
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