Being a licensor of intellectual property means one thing: You need a lot of lawyers, because you end up suing a lot of people. Wireless technology provider and Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation InterDigital Communications
The complaint to the ITC mentions several of Samsung's handsets, including the popular new BlackJack smartphone available from AT&T's
This isn't the first time InterDigital and Samsung have been on opposite sides of a lawsuit. According to InterDigital, Samsung has been dragging its feet in a past arbitration ruling on an earlier generation of products using InterDigital's technology. Samsung has been disputing the amount owed to InterDigital, in light of a settlement between InterDigital and Nokia
The latest spat between InterDigital and Samsung recalls fellow patent licensor Qualcomm's
InterDigital investors would be best served by a quick resolution to the dispute, since Samsung is holding back payment to InterDigital until the amount is finalized. A settlement will help InterDigital further boost its cash hoard of $264 million. That's more than enough money to continue paying its legal team.
For related Foolishness:
- InterDigital's Interesting Q4: Fool By Numbers
- Qiao Xing Universal Telephone: A Chinese Nokia in the Making?
- Dial "0" for Lawsuit
Besides InterDigital Communications, discover which stocks are currently making the cut with Tom and Dave in the Motley Fool Stock Advisor newsletter via a 30-day free trial.
Fool contributor Dave Mock suggested arbitration in a dispute with his 5-year-old daughter, but he lost big-time in the courtroom of Mom. He owns shares of Qualcomm. As mentioned, InterDigital is a Stock Advisor pick. Dave is the author of The Qualcomm Equation. The Fool has a disclosure policy.