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Apple threatens UK market exit if court orders 'unacceptable' patent fees

appleinsider.com

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Re: Apple threatens UK market exit if court orders 'unacceptable' patent fees

#2
How much the fees should be and how Apple react to them are separate issues. Given the fact that Apple Retail UK posted a profit of just £39m in 2020 though, it seems likely that they'll have to exit the market as they won't be able afford even a reasonably low patent fee.

Assuming that their reported profit wasn't just a massive lie to avoid tax, obviously.

Re: Apple threatens UK market exit if court orders 'unacceptable' patent fees

#3
post #2

How much the fees should be and how Apple react to them are separate issues. Given the fact that Apple Retail UK posted a profit of just £39m in 2020 though, it seems likely that they'll have to exit the market as they won't be able afford even a reasonably low patent fee. Assuming that their reported profit wasn't just a massive lie to avoid tax, obviously.

"An estimated 19,452 iPhones were sold every day in the UK in 2019", give them a break, obviously struggling to get traction.

Re: Apple threatens UK market exit if court orders 'unacceptable' patent fees

#4
post #2

How much the fees should be and how Apple react to them are separate issues. Given the fact that Apple Retail UK posted a profit of just £39m in 2020 though, it seems likely that they'll have to exit the market as they won't be able afford even a reasonably low patent fee. Assuming that their reported profit wasn't just a massive lie to avoid tax, obviously.

In 2020, the UK was still part of the EU and with that Apple could and did move much EU based sales to Ireland for tax purposes. So with that in mind, along with how companies game the tax systems, I take any figure with a pinch of salt.

That said Apple postulating this as retaliation to a legal court case pertaining to a valid patent, does seem a bit purile.

But the real question I have is - if these are core patents as they seem to be (not read the patents but mention of 3g and 4g connectivity mooted) then I would of thought FRAND would take presedense

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reasonable_and_non-discriminat...

Re: Apple threatens UK market exit if court orders 'unacceptable' patent fees

#5
The UK has a relatively strong chance of creating decent competitive challengers to Apple if the UK market opens up with their exit. Even if a few consumers are frustrated in the short term this could lead to a fantastic outcome for a competitive consumer marketplace over the long-term.

Re: Apple threatens UK market exit if court orders 'unacceptable' patent fees

#6

The UK has a relatively strong chance of creating decent competitive challengers to Apple if the UK market opens up with their exit. Even if a few consumers are frustrated in the short term this could lead to a fantastic outcome for a competitive consumer marketplace over the long-term.

Reading https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/apple-app-store-was-a-majo... I'd say it is not so much the consumers that would be impacted by such a hissy fit that Apple has mooted.

Re: Apple threatens UK market exit if court orders 'unacceptable' patent fees

#8

The UK has a relatively strong chance of creating decent competitive challengers to Apple if the UK market opens up with their exit. Even if a few consumers are frustrated in the short term this could lead to a fantastic outcome for a competitive consumer marketplace over the long-term.

It will never happen. Just have to count the number of iphones and macs in the hands of people with power.

Re: Apple threatens UK market exit if court orders 'unacceptable' patent fees

#10

The UK has a relatively strong chance of creating decent competitive challengers to Apple if the UK market opens up with their exit. Even if a few consumers are frustrated in the short term this could lead to a fantastic outcome for a competitive consumer marketplace over the long-term.

Please allow me a hearty, LOOOOOOOL.

And I'm not really a fan of Apple either, but still.

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