Nokia trial against InterDigital set to begin

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Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:33pm BST

(Adds more details, background, share price)

HELSINKI Oct 15 (Reuters) - The trial in a case filed by Nokia Oyj (NOK1V.HE) to prevent potential European patent infringement suits by wireless technology firm InterDigital Inc (IDCC.O) starts on Monday in Britain, Nokia said.

Nokia said it filed a complaint in July 2005 asking the High Court in London to declare that 31 of InterDigital's European patents are not essential to the UMTS mobile technology standards and that the trial of the case begins on Oct. 15.

"The outcome Nokia is seeking is a declaration from the court that patents that InterDigital has declared as essential are not essential," Nokia spokeswoman Anne Eckert said.

She added Nokia has taken the action proactively to defend itself from potential infringement suits in Europe by InterDigital.

After filing the case, Nokia said InterDigital had said it no longer maintains the essentiality of 26 of its European patents and the trial will now concern four patents.

InterDigital filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission in August saying Nokia was engaged in unfair trade practice involving two InterDigital patents related to certain 3G handsets and components, including Nokia's N75 phone.

InterDigital also filed a complaint in the Delaware district court accusing Nokia of patent infringement.

The ITC said last month it would start an investigation of certain Nokia 3G mobile phones based on InterDigital's complaint.

Nokia has said it will vigorously defend itself.

In 2006, Nokia paid $253 million to InterDigital after losing a contract dispute over a patent license agreement over 2G products originally signed in 1999.

The Finnish firm is also involved in legal battles over patents with U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm (QCOM.O).

Shares in Nokia were 0.9 percent lower at 25.97 euros by 1110 GMT, roughly in line with the DJ Stoxx European technology index .SX8P.

((Reporting by Helsinki newsroom, editing by David Holmes; tel +358-9-680 50244, fax +358-9-6805 0220, news@reuters.fi)) Keywords: NOKIA INTERDIGITAL/

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