Nokia said Google's claim that it was colluding with Microsoft
on intellectual property was wrong and countered that devices using
Google's Android software had problems with patents.
"Though we have not yet seen the complaint, Google's suggestion that
Nokia and Microsoft are colluding on intellectual property rights is
wrong. Both companies have their own IPR portfolios and strategies and
operate independently," Nokia spokesman Mark Durrant said in an email on
Friday.
Google Inc accused Microsoft Corp and Nokia of conspiring to use
their patents against smartphone industry rivals, and said it has filed a
formal complaint with the European Commission.In its complaint, Google claimed Microsoft and Nokia, which cooperate
on smartphone technology and production, transferred 1,200 patents for
assertion to a group called MOSAID, which the company called a "patent
troll" - a term referring to a holder of patents that litigates them
aggressively.
"Nokia and Microsoft are colluding to raise the costs of mobile
devices for consumers, creating patent trolls that side-step promises
both companies have made," the Internet search leader said in a
statement, adding that the complaint was filed "recently."
"They should be held accountable, and we hope our complaint spurs others to look into these practices."
Microsoft said the complaint was a "desperate tactic" by Google.
"Google is complaining about antitrust in the smartphone industry
when it controls more than 95 percent of mobile search and advertising,"
Microsoft said in an emailed statement.
"Google is complaining about patents when it won't respond to growing
concerns by regulators, elected officials and judges about its abuse of
standard-essential patents," Microsoft said.
Nokia was not immediately available for comment.