Apple pays to settle Nokia dispute

Apple has agreed to pay royalties for the use of Nokia patents

Apple has agreed to sign a patent licence agreement with Nokia, in a move that will settle the legal dispute between the two companies.

Nokia announced that the deal includes a one-off payment from Apple, followed by ongoing royalties for the duration of the agreement. The amount of funds involved were not disclosed.

"We are very pleased to have Apple join the growing number of Nokia licencees," said Stephen Elop, president and chief executive of Nokia.

"This settlement demonstrates Nokia's industry-leading patent portfolio and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities in the mobile communications market."

Nokia sued Apple for 10 patent infringements in 2009. The disputed technologies included, amongst others, the interface, encryption, and 3G and wireless capabilities.

It claimed that technologies used in the iPhone and iPad were based on its own intellectual property.

Apple subsequently counter-sued, claiming nine of its smartphone patents had been infringed by Nokia.