Taiwan market: Nokia launches SNAP Mobile via cooperation with CHT and Gamania

6 Dec, 2007

Nokia, on December 6, formally launched SNAP (Scalable Network Applications Package) Mobile in Taiwan through partnership with Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) and Gamania Digital Entertainment.
Under the partnership CHT will provide access to its 3G mobile infrastructure while Gamania offers games developed for the platform, according to industry sources.
Nokia's SNAP Mobile is an open platform for the development of mobile connected multi-player games based on the Java MIDP (Mobile Information Device Profile) 2.0 standard. All handsets that support Java MIDP 2.0 should be able to play such games, the sources indicated.
In addition to Taiwan, Nokia has launched SNAP in the US, Europe, China, Singapore and Hong Kong, according to the company's SNAP Mobile and games global sales director, Antoine Doumenc.

HTC sees revenues hit record high in October, denies patent infringement complaint from Replevix

7 Nov, 2007

High Tech Computer (HTC) reported that its revenues hit a record high in October and denied allegations by US-based Replevix of patent infringement.
HTC's October revenues stood at NT$13.1 billion (US$404.3 million), up 24.2% sequentially and up 22.3% on year, HTC said in a press release. For the first 10 months of 2007, total revenues amounted to NT$92.67 billion, up 6.4% on year.
Meanwhile, in a November 6 filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE), HTC said that Replevix has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against it in a Pennsylvania court in the US, with the patented technology pertaining to a JAVA-based video game download software for mobile phones. HTC said that it has been licensed to use that technology developed by the UK-based Tao Group since 2004.
The Tao Group sold its assets, including related JAVA contracts, to Replevix in July when the UK-based company announced its bankruptcy, said HTC, noting that Replevix did not acquire the patent related to the JAVA download technology.
HTC also said that it doubts Replevix is equipped with needed technology to fulfill the contract and that, before settling the dispute, it has deposited an amount of US$1.1 million, or the total of business transactions in dispute, with an UK court which has a legitimate right to oversee the contract involved.
In addition, HTC said that the lawsuit is unlikely to have a material impact on its operations since it has already discontinued using any services covered by the contract.