Nokia is suing Shanghai Huaqin Telecom Technology Co Ltd, one of China’s top cellphone design companies, for infringing its patented method of covering the lens when the phone is not in use. Nokia wants the Shanghai company to stop producing and selling the offending products. Nokia also demands 10 million yuan (US $1.55 million) as compensation.

Nokia N95 lens cover

The Shanghai Daily reported that the defendant believes this is “existing technology,” instead of a Nokia patent. They also think the compensation demand is excessive.

Let’s see how this battle ends. If you recall, Apple will be giving a one-time payment to Nokia and on-going royalties due to a recently signed patent license agreement. It’s been a while since I’ve seen phones with lens cover. Do you miss having them?

photo: Peter Clark