In recent days, a major conflict has broken out between Apple and Ericsson. The second in fact makes the first pay for the use ofpatentsessential to the manufacture of smartphones, a system which is nothing new and which all the major brands, including Android, implement. But recently, Cupertino no longer pays the royalties owed to it.
Until now, however, this matter was limited to countries such as Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands. But we have just learned that another of our European neighbors is also preparing to see the case land in its courts: it would be theUnited Kingdom. Therefore, concerns also turn to the French market.
A ten-figure lawsuit?
Concretely, if Apple does not settle its debts quickly, then Ericsson could ask a judge toban iPhones from storesintended for the general public in order to win their case. This could be accepted by the magistrate, as long as the manufacturer of the controlled mobiles does not comply with the conditions of the contract concluded with the plaintiff.
To date, theFrench justicedoes not, however, appear to have been seized. But if this were the case in the coming weeks, then the ax could prove very severe for Apple. Indeed, the Californian firm has recently already been sentenced toa fine of one billion euros imposed by local legislators, a sign that their vehemence towardsthis giant a little too powerfulare not to be taken lightly.
Online solution
In any case, if iPhones are indeed withdrawn from sale, there is a good chance that only new products sold in Apple Stores will be affected initially. The ban will perhaps then extend to third-party stores, but it will take time, a period that many individuals will probably take advantage of to stock up and then offer the items at more or less fair prices on sites likeeBay.
Furthermore, Apple can also always turn toother suppliersof technology between now and the arrival of its next mobile phones.Several iPhone 14s have been reported approaching, the iPhone SE 3 is surely already ready for its part (too late to modify it, therefore).
