Apple Asked ETSI To Set Basic FRAND Licensing Rules

After being defeated by Motorola in a patent dispute over FRAND licensing this month, Apple proposed the European Telecommunications Standards Institute to set consistent royalties for patents that are essential to wireless communication standards, according to the Wall Street Journal. The body participates in setting the standards relating to 4G LTE, 3G UMTS and GSM technologies.

Apple is drew in many patent disputes with Samsung, Motorola and HTC and it previously stated in court documents that Motorola declined to license its essential patents on FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Nondiscriminatory) terms at rates offered to Samsung, Nokia and other manufacturers.

Apple’s lawyer said in the letter to the body:

“It is apparent that our industry suffers from a lack of consistent adherence to FRAND principles in the cellular standards arena.”

The FOSS Patents blog posted a copy of Apple’s letter. Reportedly Motorola and Samsung demanded 2.25% and 2.4%, respectively, of Apple’s sales for licensing their patents.