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TechnologyDaily Mobile
Nokia Sues Chinese Firms Over IP Rights
by Danielle Belopotosky
Finnish mobile phone company Nokia has filed suit against two Chinese companies for allegedly manufacturing and selling counterfeit Nokia-branded mobile phones.
Nokia alleges Shenzhen, China-based mobile phone manufacturers Shenzhen Telsda Mobile Communications Industry Developing Co. and Song Xun Da Zhong Ke Electronics, produced and sold patented designs of its 7260 model phone, according to Nokia.
The suit also names alleged distributors of the model in question, including Beijing Tongwanbao Commerce & Trade and Beijing Xin Tongwanbaod Commerce & Trade.
Nokia has requested the court issue a cease-and-desist order against the companies. It also seeks monetary damages. "Nokia vigorously protects its intellectual property and is ready to take action when its rights are violated," the company said in a statement.
Egyptian Council Backs Government Web Policy
An administrative court in Egypt has upheld a government policy to allow authorities to block, shut down or suspend Web sites that allegedly pose a threat to its national security. The court is linked to that nation's Council of State.
The international free speech group Reporters Without Borders last week condemned the move. "Empowering government officials to shut down a Web site on their own initiative is unacceptable," Reporters Without Borders said in a statement. "We hold that only a judge should be able take this kind of action."
According to the reporters' group, Judge Farouq Abdul-Qader also urged Egypt's parliament to enact a law reflecting his decision. His ruling is in response to a journalist who operated a site, Al-Methaq Al-Araby, which was shut down. The journalist filed a complaint accusing the information ministry of allegedly pressuring a Web hosting service to shutter the site. The ministry claimed the site posted information that could jeopardize national security. Postings on the site include essays critical of the government and corrupt officials.
Under current law, the government does not hold the authority to order Internet companies from blocking or closing down a Web site, according to the organization. The judge said authorities have a right to "do their duty" when national security is at risk.
"This complicity between courts and government bodes ill for online free expression in Egypt, and we would oppose any law endorsing the judge's decision," Reporters Without Borders said.
The organization, meanwhile, also reported two online Web writers remain in government custody in Egypt.
Wireless Adoption In China Rises
China's market growth for high-speed wireless technology is expected to increase at an annual growth rate of 45 percent over the next three years, according to a new paper issued last week by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
The Wi-Fi expansion in the massive country is fueled by the deployment of high-speed Internet access to homes, offices and public spaces, according to findings in the report, which was conducted by Chinese research firm Analysis International.
As mobile phone penetration in China tops the global charts, individuals also can take advantage of the estimated 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in that country. Moreover, the market for wireless equipment is expected to reach $1.25 billion by 2008.
"China is already an important strategic market for our industry, and we believe it presents a very attractive growth opportunity," alliance Managing Director Frank Hanzlik said in a statement. China's Wi-Fi expansion also presents a ripe opportunity to build complimentary next-generation and Wi-MAX networks and compatible devices for that market, he added.
U.S. Services Trade Sector Strong
The International Trade Commission earlier this month reported strong trade performance by the U.S. service sector.
In its annual report on services trade, the ITC said that sector accounted for 83 percent of gross domestic product and 85 percent of employment in the private sector in 2004. Moreover, the sector saw a 13 percent increase in sales abroad by its U.S.-based affiliates in 2003.
International trade in services represented 22 percent of all U.S. cross-border trade in 2004, generating a $47.8 billion surplus in that sector. While services trade in the financial, insurance and securities sectors have rebounded from the economic impact resulting from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States, trends in the services trade have changed due to heightened security measures. The ICT noted changes particularly in education, passenger and transportation services.
While trade with China has netted a $161.9 billion deficit in merchandise trade, the United States maintained a $1.6 billion surplus with China in the area of services. The ICT said China likely will offer opportunities for U.S. service firms as that country continues to open its economy.
China's overall trade surplus, meanwhile, is expected to top $12 billion this year, according to a China Daily news report last week. To reduce the surplus, Bi Shengquan, vice director of China's National Development and Reform Commission, said adjustments must be made to that country's tax polices and export rebate scheme.
EU Eyes E-Waste
July 1 marked the deadline for a European Union electronic waste directive requiring manufacturers of new electrical and electronic equipment to meet new design and environmental standards.
The directive restricts the use of certain hazardous substances, such are lead, mercury, brominated flame retardants and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in new equipment that are put on the market after that date. Those materials have been proved hazardous to humans and have negatively impacted the environment.
E-waste in the European Union is growing at the rate of 3 percent to 5 percent each year, three times fasters than other waste, according to a study by AEA Technology on the implementation of the directive.
Under the measure, producers of electronics must offer programs for consumers to return their equipment free of charge, which then must be recycled. It seeks to reduce the amount of e-waste in landfills and improve the design of electronic equipment to increase the reusability of those products.
An estimated 90 percent of e-waste has been placed in a landfill, incinerated or recovered without any necessary treatments. These improper disposal mechanisms allow the hazardous materials to seep into the air, soil and water, causing health risks and damage to the environment, according to the report.
Hewlett-Packard, meanwhile, announced last week it has expanded its global recycling program. In the United States, the technology company said it will offer product return and recycling programs for end-of-life products.
It also is expanding those programs throughout Asia Pacific and Japan. HP has teamed with local refurbishing and recycling services in the region. HP operates similar programs in Europe and plans to expand them to Australia, China and France.
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