HTC Android devices could face ban in Germany as Nokia wins injunction

HTC is in trouble again and this time it is not just the HTC One family of smartphones that is on the line but the entire Android range of smartphones from the Taiwanese firm as Nokia has won an injunction in Germany.

According to FOSS Patents Judge Andreas Mueller (“Müller” in German), the Presiding Judge of the 21st Civil Law Chamber of the Munich Regional Court ruled against HTC granting Nokia an injunction against all Android devices manufactured by the Taiwanese smartphone vendor.

The patent in question is EP1246071 that talks about automatic configuration of appropriate driver on a desktop computer as and when a USB connection is established. The patent doesn’t cover all USB connections, but talks about abilities wherein automatic configuration takes place for file synchronization; provides access to device’s flash memory; or just provides plain simple charging.

Only Android devices manufactured by HTC are on the radar and Nokia isn’t targeting any Windows Phone devices – possibly because HTC may already have a licensing in place thanks to its arrangement with Microsoft.

“Nokia is pleased that the Regional Court in Munich, Germany has today ruled that a number of HTC products infringe Nokia’s patent EP 1 246 071, which covers USB functionality in mobile phones”, said Nokia in an official statement.

“Today’s judgment is another significant milestone in our on-going dispute with HTC, enabling Nokia to enforce an injunction against the import and sale of all infringing HTC products in Germany, as well as to obtain damages for past infringement. This patent is also already in suit against HTC in the UK.” Nokia added.

FOSS Patents notes that Nokia can go ahead with enforcing the ruling on a provisional basis during the appellate proceedings and in order to do so it will have to post a bond or make a deposit of approximately €50 million ($68 million).

Ravi