Finnish phone maker Nokia has demanded sales ban of Research In Motion’s BlackBerry devices in the US, the UK and Canada, claiming violation of contract related to cellular patents signed nine years ago.
Both the firms have entered into an agreement in 2003 to use patents related to standards-essential technologies for mobile devices.
RIM has since alleged that the license must also have included patents related to non-essential spares and it filed lawsuit with the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce in Sweden in March 2011.
Further, the Swedish arbitrator ruled that RIM was not allowed to make or sell mobile devices that feature similar Wi-Fi connectivity, which the firm had not agreed royalties with Nokia.
"RIM is liable to pay royalties and damages to Nokia for its … sales of any subscriber terminals (handsets or tablets) … compatible with the WLAN standard," the arbitrator said.
"RIM has not contested that it manufactures and sells products using WLAN in accordance with Nokia’s WLAN patents."
RIM spokeswoman Crystal Roberts said that the firm will respond to Nokia’s petitions in due course.
"Research In Motion has worked hard to develop its leading-edge BlackBerry technology and has built an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio of its own," Roberts said.