Daimler May Win Crucial Ruling in Patent Dispute With Nokia (1)

Daimler AG scored a preliminary point in its patent dispute with Nokia Oyj as a German court said it’s inclined to back the car maker’s argument that standard mobile technology licenses must be offered to auto suppliers it works with.

It’s normal in the auto industry that suppliers get patent licenses for components and Daimler may able to defend itself against Nokia’s suit with that argument, Presiding Judge Sabine Klepsch said at a hearing in the case in Dusseldorf. The judges are considering seeking the European Union’s top court’s guidance on the issue, she said.

“Suppliers must get a ...