Nokia seeks HTC UK sales ban after High Court patent victory

HTC One device loses in a patent case with Nokia

Nokia has won a patent case against HTC that could lead to a ban of some of HTC's products in the UK, including its HTC One smartphone. However, HTC has confirmed it will appeal the ruling.

The case was heard in the UK High Court relating to a patent used for transmitting data between phones and cell towers. Justice Richard Arnold said that HTC had infringed this patent in its devices and that HTC's claims that the patent "lacks novelty" were invalid.

"HTC has not established its defence of licence," he wrote in his case summary.

Nokia welcomed the ruling and confirmed that it would push for a ban on HTC products that infringe this patent. "Today's judgment is a significant development in our dispute with HTC. Nokia will now seek an injunction against the import and sale of infringing HTC products in the UK as well as financial compensation," the firm said in a statement.

HTC confirmed the ruling and said it would appeal: "Naturally HTC is disappointed by the decision that the UK court has reached in this case and we will be seeking to appeal the finding immediately."

The case is just one of many between the two firms, with US courts ruling in favour of Nokia in a case in September. The decision will be a blow to HTC, which is facing a tough future in the face of relentless competition from the likes of Samsung, Apple and Nokia.

Microsoft will note the victory too, after it paid €5.44bn for Nokia's mobile phone business and the licensing of its patents, as it seeks to build its position in the mobile market. The value of Nokia's patents, as seen by its victory against Apple in the past, is one of the firm's major strengths.