Ericsson and Apple patent dispute escalates into Europe

The legal dispute between Apple and Ericsson over 5G patents used in the iPhone has extended to multiple lawsuits from both companies across Europe.

In what originally seemed like a near repeat of their 2015 patent battles, Apple and Ericsson have already been suing each other in the US over 5G technology. The number of suits has now increased, however, since Ericsson's first filing, as soon as its all of its previous deals with Apple had expired.

Ericsson's initial suits were filed in both the Western US District of Texas, and at least one unknown European country. Juve Patent now says that the European suits were filed in Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil.

Apple's initial countersuit was filed in the US, but specifically with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC). Where Ericsson argues that Apple is now using its 5G patents without a licence, Apple's legal team is arguing that the Swedish firm should be prevented from importing products to the US.

Since the ITC suit, Apple has now also filed suit against the company in Mannheim. According to Juve Patent, Ericsson is believed to have filed at least two suits of its own in Mannheim, charging Apple with patent violations.

It's further claimed, though not confirmed, that Ericsson has filed several complaints in Munich.

In its original ITC filing, Apple said that it was willing to drop that legal effort, so long as Ericsson withdrew "all of their lawsuits and legal actions." Apple also asked that the courts decide what a fair licence fee would be for Ericsson to charge.