US trade panel to probe Nokia for patent infringement

SAN DIEGO: Wireless technology company Qualcomm said Monday the United States International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into whether Finland’s Nokia and its US unit engaged in unfair trade practices and infringed upon six Qualcomm patents.

Qualcomm said it seeks an exclusion order to bar importation of Nokia handsets that infringe Qualcomm patents. Qualcomm also seeks a cease and desist order to bar further sales of Nokia products that have already been imported, and to halt the marketing, advertising, demonstration and stocking of inventory for distribution in the US.

In June, Qualcomm said it filed a complaint with the U.S. ITC, and it expected investigation of the complaint to begin in July and to be tried in the first half of 2007.

A Nokia representative couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.The company said it expects an initial determination to be issued in the first half of the year after an evidentiary hearing.

Shares of Qualcomm rose 10 cents to $38.10 in morning trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market. U.S.-traded shares of Nokia fell 6 cents to $19.48 on the New York Stock Exchange.