“Samsung Electronics is in preliminary talks with the EU regulator to settle charges it abused its market position by barring arch rival Apple from using an essential mobile phone patent, two people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday,” Foo Yun Chee reports for Reuters.
“The talks came after the European Commission, which acts as EU competition regulator, told Samsung in December that it was acting unfairly by seeking injunctions against Apple over use of the essential patents,” Chee reports. “‘Samsung has been involved in settlement discussions for several months now. Samsung wants to settle,’ said one of the sources, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter. The sources said it was still too early to say if the discussions would result in a settlement. That would mean no finding of wrongdoing for Samsung and no fine, which could otherwise reach as much as $17.3 billion if the South Korean firm is found to be in breach of EU laws.”
Chee reports, “The Commission’s case against Samsung centers on essential patents for the European Union’s 3G UMTS standard. The firm pledged to license its patents on fair terms to rivals when the standard was adopted in Europe. Samsung came under regulatory fire last year when it began seeking injunctions in various EU countries in 2011 against Apple’s use of these patents.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Do not abuse FRAND, thieves.
Related articles:
Japan finds Samsung guilty of FRAND abuse – March 5, 2013
FRAND abuse: Samsung could face $15 billion fine for trying to ban Apple iPhone via standard-essential patents – December 28, 2012
FTC staff said to formally recommend antitrust lawsuit against Google over FRAND abuse – November 1, 2012
Google U.S. antitrust lawsuit said to be urged by FTC investigators over Internet search, FRAND abuse – October 15, 2012
U.S. FTC investigating Google, Motorola Mobility over FRAND abuse – June 30, 2012
EU launches full-blown investigation of Samsung’s suspected abuse of FRAND-pledged patents; Motorola on notice – January 31, 2012
Apple asked standards body to set rules for essential FRAND patents – February 8, 2012
Apple’s iterative approach to FRAND abuse is not for the faint of heart, but there’s no better alternative – February 5, 2012
Motorola Mobility wants 2.25% of Apple’s sales for standards-essential wireless patents license – February 4, 2012
EU launches full-blown investigation of Samsung’s suspected abuse of FRAND-pledged patents; Motorola on notice – January 31, 2012
EU opens antitrust investigation into Samsung over patents – January 31, 2012
European Commission investigates Samsung over possible abuse of FRAND patents against Apple – November 3, 2011
Why is Samsung attempting to ban Apple’s iPhone 4S over FRAND patents? – October 5, 2011
I would think with the European economy the way it is, I would find Samsung guilty and make them pay the 17 billion in fines!
The EU should backhand
Samsung’s agreed Frand
with a clubhand
negating future grandstands
by kicking away the kickstands
used to lever their Frands
as a means to demand
an unfair stand
to expand
cross licensing.
… and then Samsung simply increases prices in Europe by 5 Euros to compensate …
That’s fine. It would make their products more expensive and even less attractive.
Kimchee invasion is all over the world, even though Korea is a very small country with great, aggressive business mind, even big clothing store Forever 21 the owner is Korean as well which targets low-end clothes to consumers.
Sammy has a name for it’s standards-essential patents…
My Precious.
Bar the SamSlopes from the EU altogether, you Euro coward asswipes.
Euro coward? What about the USs’ inability to simply recognize FRAND?
Google (Motorola Mobility’s parent) has been pursuing the same abusive tactics with SEP/FRAND patents, and is also being scrutinized by European antitrust regulators.
Very good. If you developed for a standard you sign up to license your IP under fair terms. Perhaps Goosung needs to be reminded if that.