Nokia sues Amazon, HP over video patent infringement

Nokia has taken legal action against Amazon and HP over their alleged “unauthorised use” of the company’s video streaming-related technologies.

In a blogpost, Nokia’s Chief Licencing Officer Arvin Patel alleged that Amazon Prime Video and Amazon’s streaming devices infringe a number of the company’s multimedia patents, including video compression, content recommendation and delivery, and aspects related to hardware.

For this reason, Nokia has filed lawsuits in the US, Germany, India, the UK, and the European Patent Office. A separate lawsuit was filed against HP in the US.

“We’ve been in discussions with each of Amazon and HP for a number of years, but sometimes litigation is the only way to respond to companies who choose not to play by the rules followed and respected by others,” said Patel.

He emphasised that, despite the lack of patent licence agreements, Amazon and HP are “significantly benefiting” from Nokia’s inventions. According to his statement, the Finnish company has invested over €140bn in R&D for advanced technologies since 2000, and is now holding one of the world’s most adept patent portfolios of connectivity and multimedia tech.

Patel underlined that litigation isn’t the company’s first choice. Instead, Nokia prefers reaching amicable agreements with the businesses relying on its technology, being open to “constructive, good-faith negotiations” about the compensation and royalties for use of key inventions.

Amazon and HP declined to comment on an ongoing litigation.

Meanwhile in October, Nokia announced a wider restructuring that will cut up to 14,000 employees. The move is expected to reduced its personnel expenses by 10%-15%, saving it at least €400mn in 2024.