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South Korea: Microsoft’s Nokia takeover spikes licensing fee fears

By  |  March 13, 2014

The Korea Electronics Association has reportedly filed a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission over concerns of Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia’s handset unit, say reports, as fears mount that Microsoft’s buy will allow the company more leverage to charge higher patent licensing fees.

The KEA was backed y the Korea Software Industry Association, the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association and the Korea Battery Industry Association, reports say, in its petition against the merger.

In an interview, the group said that “Nokia rarely exercised tis patent rights because of its cross-licensing with Samsung Electronics, Apple and the like, but now it can launch patent lawsuits or demand an increase in royalties without any limitation.”

Microsoft plans to acquire Nokia patents along with its handset unit in a deal that has already received clearance by regulators in the EU and the US.

Full Content: Iam Magazine

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