Nokia, HTC, RIM accused in FlashPoint patent filing

Nokia Oyj, HTC Corp., Research In Motion Ltd. and LG Electronics Inc. were accused of infringing a New Hampshire company’s patents in a case that could lead the US to ban imports of their mobile phones.

FlashPoint Technology Inc., a closely held licenser of software patents, filed a complaint yesterday with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington. FlashPoint claims the companies are violating its patent rights related to electronic imaging devices used in mobile phones including models of the BlackBerry Storm2, Droid and Nuron.

The three patents relate to the way digital cameras operate, including focus and flash settings, and automatic rotation of the image depending on how the camera is held, according to the complaint. Apple Inc., which competes with the phone makers named, is among the companies licensing the patents, FlashPoint said in the filing.

Nokia, the world’s biggest maker of mobile phones, “is aware of and now studying the complaint,” Laurie Armstrong, a spokeswoman for the Espoo, Finland-based company, said by e- mail. “Nokia will defend itself vigorously in this matter to ensure its rights are protected.”

RIM, maker of the BlackBerry handset, typically declines comment on pending litigation, spokeswoman Marisa Conway said by e-mail. John Taylor, a spokesman for LG, said the Seoul-based company doesn’t comment on pending legal matters.

BlackBerry Storm2, Droid

Among the products cited in the complaint are the Nokia 5230 Nuron made in China, RIM’s BlackBerry Storm2 9550 made in Mexico, the HTC Droid Incredible made in Taiwan, and LG eXpo made in Korea.

FlashPoint said it developed its own digital operating system for cameras, and ceased research in 2007 to focus on licensing its patents. Companies that license the patents include Eastman Kodak Co., Samsung Electronics Co., Hewlett- Packard Co., Nikon Corp. and Apple, according to the complaint.

The ITC is a government agency set up to protect US markets from unfair trade practices, including patent infringement. It can order a ban of imports that violate US intellectual property rights. If it agrees to investigate the complaint, the agency could complete its work in about 15 months.

Nokia’s American depositary receipts, each representing one ordinary share, fell 39 cents, or 3.7 per cent, to $10.28 in New York Stock Exchange trading. RIM fell 14 cents to $66.16 in Nasdaq Stock Market trading.

The case is In the Matter of Certain Electronic Imaging Devices, Complaint No. 2733, US International Trade Commission (Washington).