Nokia files claims against Qualcomm in Europe

HELSINKI, Mar 19 (Reuters) The world's top cellphone maker Nokia said on Monday it had filed complaints against Qualcomm patents in Germany and the Netherlands in the latest case between the two technology giants.

Nokia and Qualcomm are in numerous legal disputes and have been negotiating on the renewal of a major technology licensing agreement that expires April 9. They have disagreed over Qualcomm's charges for technology licences.

Nokia said it wanted authorities to rule that Qualcomm's European patents are exhausted with respect to products sold on the European Union market with a Qualcomm licence -- in this case chipsets supplied by Texas Instruments

''If Nokia's claim succeeds, Qualcomm would be prevented in Europe from enforcing its respective patents in relation to Nokia handsets incorporating such chipsets,'' the Finnish firm said.

The complaints were filed in the Regional Court of Mannheim in Germany and in The Hague District Court in the Netherlands.

REUTERS PV HT1634