HTC gets delay on One Mini and One Max ban, Nokia faces new appeal

UK Court of Appeal rules in Taiwanese phone maker's favour

The UK Court of Appeal has decided to not ban HTC's One lineup of handsets, despite Nokia's recent patent victory.

Earlier this month, the UK High Court ruled that HTC's One devices infringe Nokia's EP0998024 patent, described as a "modular structure for a transmitter and a mobile station". The court granted a UK sales ban on HTC's One Mini and HTC One Max smartphones effective from 6 December.

The Taiwanese phone company appealed against the decision, and The Court of Appeal ruled in its favour, deciding not to uphold an immediate ban on the company's HTC One lineup.

An HTC spokesperson said: "HTC is delighted that the Court of Appeal has granted a stay on the injunction against our products. We will immediately resume shipment of all of our devices into the UK, including the entire HTC One family. Similarly, our customers should feel confident in their ability to promote and sell all HTC devices.

"Even though we plan to aggressively appeal the validity decision of Nokia's EP 0998024 patent, we will continue to work with our chip suppliers on alternative solutions to ensure minimal disruption to our business in the future."

Nokia said it welcomes a full appeal in the new year. A spokesperson for Nokia said: "The UK Court of Appeal has stayed the injunction until a full appeal hearing next year and Nokia welcomes the Court's invitation for the parties to expedite this.

"It is unfortunate that the stay means that HTC can continue to benefit from its unauthorised and uncompensated use of Nokia innovations. We look forward to the Court of Appeal confirming that the patent is valid and infringed, lifting the stay on the injunction and awarding Nokia financial compensation for HTC's infringement."