Nokia is facing a lawsuit over contested patents held by German firm IP-Com, purchased last year from Bosch and their use offered to the Finnish firm for a staggering €12bn ($17.77bn).  Claiming the patents are “invalid” and contesting their alleged infringement, Nokia are promising to “vigorously defend” the case through the courts.  IP-Com is almost half-owned by private equity company Fortress Investment Group, who are believed to be bankrolling the legal action.

“We were not able to agree with Nokia about the sum for the license fees and have therefore filed the lawsuit to bar Nokia from using those patents”Christoph Schoeller, managing director, IP-Com

“This is far higher than anything we have heard before.  We will vigorously defend ourselves”Nokia spokesperson

The claim concerns eight patents out of a total 160 that IP-Com bought, although it has not been made clear what functionality they detail.  An initial hearing took place in January, and the next is scheduled for April this year.