Report: Wireless 3G Patent Licensing Fees Could Stifle Mobile Phone Industry

Electricnews.net reports:

A new report has warned that royalties related to 3G patents could seriously hurt smaller players in the mobile industry and stifle development of products. . . .

[The report by Informa Telecoms and Media] says that if other main patent holders such as Nokia, Motorola and Ericsson don't license their patents at a similar level to Qualcomm, it will lead to a rise in the cost of the basic technologies required to produce 3G mobile devices.

3G patent royalty rates have apparently been an on-going issue for several years now.

More: 3G Patent Platform.

Update: More at mobilepipeline ("3G Patents Could Strangle Device Innovation: Report").

Update: (Apr. 29, 2005): More at Patent Prospector.