ERIC Ericsson

By Dominic Chopping

STOCKHOLM--Ericsson AB (ERIC) said Wednesday it has taken legal action in response to claims by Apple Inc. (AAPL) that the Swedish company's patents aren't essential to the high-speed wireless technology it uses in its devices.

The Swedish networking giant said a license agreement between the two companies has expired and no new agreement has been reached, despite around two years of negotiations, meaning Apple does not have a license to Ericsson's technology.

Ericsson has filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas asking the court for an independent assessment on whether its global licensing offer to Apple is fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory.

Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com; Twitter: @WSJNordics

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