Rabu, 23 Juli 2008

SAN DIEGO - Nokia Corp. and Qualcomm Inc. say they have agreed to settle a high-stakes licensing dispute and end a series of legal battles that has spanned several continents.

The wireless industry heavyweights said Wednesday that they struck a 15-year licensing deal that gives Nokia rights to a wide portfolio of Qualcomm's patents. Terms were not immediately disclosed.

Nokia says it will withdraw its antitrust complaint against Qualcomm at the European Commission.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) -- Chip maker Qualcomm Inc. delayed the release of its fiscal third-quarter results Wednesday after a Delaware judge postponed the start of a trial pitting the company against mobile handset maker Nokia Corp. in a dispute over licensing fees.

Qualcomm gave no explanation for rescheduling its conference call to discuss the results to Thursday morning before markets open. The company had been scheduled to release its results after markets closed Wednesday.

The delay sent its shares soaring $4.10, or 9.2 percent, to $48.92 after hours. During regular trading, its shares rose 1.6 percent, or 72 cents, to $44.82 on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

The trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday morning but was delayed for several hours because of technical difficulties in establishing a Webcast feed. Vice-chancellor Leo Strine later decided to postpone the start of the trial until Thursday morning. The reason for the postponement was not immediately clear.

The Delaware lawsuit is part of a multinational legal battle between the two companies, who disagree on whether Nokia owes Qualcomm royalty payments for use of certain wireless technology patents.

San Diego-based Qualcomm contends that Nokia, a Finnish company that is the world's largest mobile phone maker, owes it royalties under a 2001 licensing agreement.

Nokia claims that it has paid more than $1 billion to Qualcomm and has satisfied its obligations, and that the patent licensing deal has expired.

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