Ranger, I spoke to an analyst/investment advisor today who had heard a rumor that Kyocera was waiting in the wings to sign a 3G deal with InterDigital after the Nokia arbitration was done.
I have done some searching on PACER, and I have found that Kyocera and Nokia are in a patent infringement lawsuit related to BREW, and Qualcomm seems to be going to bat for Kyocera in a related lawsuit against Nokia. (In fact, the judge presiding over the Kyocera v. Nokia in East Texas is the same judge presiding over Tantivy v. Lucent, our own Judge T. John Ward.)
I don't think the Nokia v. Kyocera, or Nokia v. Qualcomm lawsuits are necessarily related to InterDigital. However, it does make me think the there is not a whole lot of love between Kyocera and Nokia (or between Qualcomm and Nokia).
Based on the concept of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend', and the rumor I heard this morning, I speculate that there may be something going on with InterDigital and Kyocera.
Perhaps Kyocera is a 'major competitor' pursuant to the Nokia and Samsung agreements.
Perhaps Kyocera may see InterDigital as a way of gaining leverage over Nokia in its BREW dispute with Nokia.
From the documents, it appears that Kyocera is having to deal with Illka Rahnasto, the same patent attorney from Nokia that has been negotiating with InterDigital.
Perhaps Kyocera is willing to pay the Ericsson/Sony-Ericsson/Samsung 'trigger' (or MFL) rate through 2006 in exchange for a more favorable rate from 2007 through 2010.
Such a deal may not 'spoil' InterDigital's other MFL provisions, and further validate its 3G IPR.
Perhaps it's just wishfull thinking on my part, but if Kyocera really is out there hovering around, Nokia may have more incentive to settle than we may realize.
JMHO
A good weekend to all.
Dave Davis
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