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The author:(作者)aaapublished in(发表于) 2013/12/21 23:23:17 Microsoft to buy Nokia， China had antitrust clearance
Microsoft buys Nokia in China also have antitrust hurdle-Microsoft, Nokia-IT information Microsoft buys Nokia in China also have anti-trust hurdle
Our newspaper from several sources that the against Microsoft in September this year to $ 7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia's handset business and partly about patents, China's Ministry of Commerce has already begun the second phase of the review. That phase of the review will be joining the anti-monopoly component.
Which makes this look like it is "a done deal" deal formed waves. This is not a common situation, most of the international and domestic acquisitions will be the first stage of our review within 30 days of the adoption of the Commerce Department. Mention this deal has been in the United States, the European Union, Russia, and India and Turkey was granted.
Commerce Department takes this matter seriously because one is homemade, including ZTE, Lenovo, millet and other mobile phone manufacturers, is very worried that Nokia will be a "patented Monster" to pay high patent fees.
Their worries are not unfounded, Nokia's legal spokesman make·dalante said: "until now, Nokia and without massive external license their own patents. But when the phone after the spinoff, we will try to make technology external licenses. ”
This is definitely not a good sign. If a basic patent fees according to Nokia released, 2% of no more than retail price, low profit margin of China's mobile phone industry would be greatly impact and could seriously impede their awarding of international expansion. "Several companies related report was submitted to the Ministry of Commerce in the first time, it's a hell of a thing. "A domestic mobile phone manufacturers officer Zhao song (a pseudonym) told the economic observer reported," at least let Nokia commitment to not charge more than the current standard of patent licensing fees in the future. And if Microsoft and Nokia need to patent investments when the company transferred patent, it would maintain the current patent licensing terms. ”
Metamorphosis may
A company no longer makes phone, keep so many patent portfolio reporter? Microsoft acquired IBM paid $ 7.2 billion, with 5 billion dollars in order to purchase Nokia devices and services sector, the rest of the $ 2.2 billion is to get a Nokia patent license for 10 years. Nokia is to retain business, Nokia solutions network company (NSN, which Nokia Siemens), maps, business, as well as Advanced Technologies for external authorization Nokia patents. "If Microsoft Nokia business package, including patent acquisitions, domestic producers would not worry about, after all, Microsoft's own production of mobile phones, they will cross license. "The miit said Zhao Tianwu, electronic intellectual property rights Center Director, cross-licensing is the most common way of checks and balances between mobile phone manufacturers, both have their own patent portfolios, so they're not easy to initiate proceedings, but more inclined to authorize each other.
And once there, such checks and balances will lose its significance. Ericsson is a real example, in 2011 it has ceded a 50% per cent stake held by Sony Ericsson, but it also did not sell the patent. Its CEO Mr Vestberg unashamedly declared: "anyone who wants to enter the fields of mobile terminal business must get the Ericsson patent licensing. We are not trying to sell patents, wants is a stable return on patents. "Shortly thereafter, it launched a series of patent lawsuits.
"The industry believes that Nokia's patent portfolio after Qualcomm, is the second best in the field of communication. "Zhao song says. Public information display, Nokia has Smartphone communication-related standards essential patents 1713, non-standards essential patents 5,647. In addition to sources, Nokia filed patent lawsuits in the Chinese market, has registered 10 cases involving areas such as SMS, NFC, video core patents.
Is lethal, global companies have 20% is not signed with Nokia patents, and in almost all of them in China. According to Zhao song reveals that Nokia's change in attitude had actually obviously before the takeover. "It just signed up or renewed, but its demand has been somewhat changed. ”
So many Chinese manufacturers are not applicable, because Nokia after China's patent system is more generous. "At that time it had very strong manufacturing in China patents only in order to maintain the market interest, the original is probably the only two or three charges in the 100. "Zhao Tianwu said.
Industry sources said, because Nokia's attitude it enough support from the Chinese Government before they even considered Nokia to Qualcomm more friendly than, making Nokia the opportunity to participate in many 3G work.
Nokia patents in recent years an increase in the number of offensive. Last year, it vendors such as RIM and HTC, and ViewSonic to launch a lawsuit, not so long ago, Nokia, HTC has launched proceedings once again. Zhao song said, in addition, Nokia has give away some of its patented 16 so-called "Patent Troll (patent rogue, generally do not have a physical business and patent litigation as a business model patent speculation people)", which indirectly attacking competitors.
"Rogue groups of more than 1000 patents Nokia's patented split up, then mix it so that they can get more income than 2%, then go with Nokia shares. "Zhao song admitted that domestic mobile phone manufacturers to come," operational costs will go up, and if you go to explore foreign markets, the cost is very high. ”
With respect to Nokia, which is definitely a good deal. In April this year, released Q1 fiscal notification, Nokia CFO Dimo·yihamodila said this year's patents to the company generating $ 653 million in revenue. If you follow the Research Strategy Analytics estimated figures next year, China's mobile phone sales will reach us $ 55.5 billion (including foreign brands), Nokia is likely to receive US $ 1.1 billion (2% of patent fees) licensing revenues, far higher than current levels.
News Director of Nokia's China research doesn't think the patent will be the future of Nokia's most important source of income, "the three remaining pieces are large, and Nokia maps and devices on your network are also very strong. ”
Conditional approval
Even though Nokia's transformation is just a possibility, but Chinese handset makers who want the Commerce Department to consider the impact of this acquisition to Chinese enterprises and industries.
Xinhua got a copy of the Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's handset business in the Chinese market and industry and suggestions, "prohibited the acquisition" was placed in the first choice listed on the grounds that "would restrict fair competition in the market and undermine the competitiveness of Chinese mobile phone manufacturing company, eventually leading to Chinese and global consumers become victims." Second choice "conditional approval", many avoid Nokia and Microsoft are listed "misuse" patent criteria .
"No is not likely to let the deal through, conditional is the best possible outcome. , "Said Zhang ping, a professor at Peking University law school.
Happened to be in the European Union through the deal shortly after EU competition Commissioner qiaokuiyin·aermuniya warned in a public speaking of Nokia, if the illegal use of patents held by, the EU will start to its antitrust investigation, "Nokia is likely to use its patent portfolio to obtain higher returns. In other words, Nokia could become a ' patent speculators '. ”
And the difficulties of China's Ministry of Commerce is the antitrust law came into effect on August 1, 2008, their big merger cases, lack of experience handle this special case.
But it exists the possibility of affecting the entire industry, the Ministry of Commerce will never be complacent. Miit China Academy of Telecommunication Research Director, intellectual property Centre continued Chun said that patent license fee increase will be a sharp rise in mobile phone prices in a price-sensitive market, that would trigger a fierce market reshuffle, with price as the main means of competition of domestic handset manufacturers in the face of competition from Apple and Samsung, survival will be more difficult. "At least let Nokia commitment to not charge more than the current standard of patent licensing fees in the future. And if Microsoft and Nokia need to patent investments when the company transferred patent, it would maintain the current patent licensing terms. "Zhao song said.
Recently, this time, the local companies are closely watching developments in this matter, including international brands such as Samsung or even fear that Nokia may launch patent fights. China's Commerce Ministry review of the second phase will last for 90 days, which was also the last time they fight for their own survival.
Restricting innovation "weapon"
Not long ago, Peking University Law School Professor Zhang participated in a salon of intellectual property rights, Microsoft buys Nokia phones are discussed as a priority case. "It will be a landmark event, because from now on, over the next few years China will intensively experienced something like this. "Zhang Ping said," we are thinking about the patent system will Whither, it now has become a restricted innovation ' weapons '. ”
Data from the research firm Patent Freedom shows that patent litigation initiated by the Patent Troll since 2010 began to soar, accounts for almost all the intellectual property related litigation 70%.
This is a very profitable business. For example a Patent Troll with a patented Sue 30 companies, of which 5 home recalcitrance, 25, agreed to a settlement. Assuming that a settlement of US $ 500,000, then it made $ 12.5 million. May spending was $ 5 million, netted $ 7 million. But in fact it is not really spending US $ 5 million, because it can be withdrawn at any time cease, suspend cost, earning that part of the settlement, most of the lawsuits on intellectual property does not enter the trial phase.
Wang Haibo, Director of intellectual property, ZTE told the economic Observer newspaper: "now, we went to Europe and North America to market, first cost estimation of intellectual property rights, risk assessment and the opportunity to dig, say some relatively large risks of local intellectual property, then the price will be high for this product. ”
"All countries hate the Patent Troll, but many countries are ex post facto, or after what happened to enable the anti-monopoly law. Using patent laws to bind it is difficult to advance, because the patent does not necessarily lead to monopoly, will indirectly lead to monopoly. "Zhang Ping said.
So, this time with several local companies strongly urge the Department of Commerce prior to review. Because Ericsson in India has launched a patent war has seriously affected the stability in the local market. After you split the handset business, its low-cost mobile phones increased royalty rates charged by nearly 10 times, making of, such as Micromax India mobile phone manufacturers struggling. India initiated by the authorities after the investigation has been difficult to make up for the past few years has lost market opportunities.
China and India similar markets, low-end mobile phone market growth in the core of relatively low-end manufacturing, which is Nokia's patent portfolio can be the object of attack.
Department of Commerce made no comment throughout the process, but it's cautious approach on this matter are sufficient to explain the problem. United States President Barack Obama in 2011, signed by the United States invented the Act, the Act on United States patent system had made significant changes aimed at promoting United States the development of innovative enterprises and stimulate the recovery of the job market. He believes Patent Troll is no productive contributions, speculating who cleave to blackmail other people get rich, he also believed that the patent protection period should be to find a balance between the protection of intellectual property rights and harming innovation. However, he also admitted to all patent reform has just "hillside".
Annie Chen clearly cannot hope for the perfection of the State laws and regulations in the future, because he and his company, right now this is a decree of fate.
微软收购诺基亚，在中国还得过反垄断这关 - 微软,诺基亚 - IT资讯微软收购诺基亚，在中国还得过反垄断这关
本报从多个渠道获悉，针对微软在今年9月以72亿美元收购诺基亚手机业务及部分专利使用权一事，中国商务部已经开始了第二阶段的审查。该阶段的审查将会加入反垄断方面的内容。
这使得这笔看上去已经“板上钉钉”的交易泛起波澜。这种情况并不常见，大部分的国际和国内并购案都会在第一阶段的30天内通过商务部的审查。更何况这笔交易已经在美国、欧盟、俄罗斯、印度和土耳其等地获批。
让商务部慎重对待此事的原因之一，就是包括中兴、联想、小米等在内的国产手机厂商，非常担心诺基亚会成为一家“专利怪物”，向他们收取高昂的专利费。
他们的这种担心并非空穴来风，诺基亚法律发言人马克·达兰特就曾表示：“直到现在，诺基亚并没有大量地对外许可自己的专利。但是当手机业务剥离后，我们将会尝试进行技术对外许可。”
这绝对不是一个好的信号。如果按照诺基亚对外公布的基本专利收费标准，即不超过销售价格的2%，利润率极低的中国手机行业将会受到极大冲击，而且也会严重阻碍它们刚刚有所起色的国际化扩张。“几家公司在第一时间就向商务部提交了相关报告，这可是个要命的事情。”某国产手机厂商人员赵松(化名)告诉经济观察报，“至少得让诺基亚承诺，未来不收取超过目前水准的专利许可费。而且如果微软和诺基亚需要向专利投资公司转让专利时，也得维持目前的专利许可条件。”
蜕变的可能
一个不再生产手机的公司，保留那么多件专利组合有何用意？在微软收购IBM支付的72亿美元里，有50亿美元是为了收购诺基亚设备和服务部门，剩下的22亿美元是获得诺基亚10年的专利许可。诺基亚则保留三块业务，诺基亚解决方案与网络公司(NSN，即原来的诺基亚西门子)、地图业务，以及负责对外授权诺基亚专利的Advanced Technologies。“如果微软把包括专利在内的诺基亚全部业务打包收购，国内厂商就不会那么担心，毕竟微软自己也要生产手机，它们彼此就会交叉授权。”工信部电子知识产权中心主任赵天武称，交叉授权是手机厂商之间最常见的制衡方式，双方都有自己的专利组合，所以他们不会轻易发起诉讼，而是更倾向于互相授权。
而一旦没有产品，这种制衡就失去了意义。爱立信就是一个真实的例子，它在2011年出让了所持有的索尼爱立信50%的股权，但它同样没有卖出专利。其CEO卫翰思毫不掩饰地对外宣称：“任何想进入移动终端领域的企业都必须得到爱立信的专利许可授权。我们不是要卖专利，要的是获得稳定的专利回报。”紧接着，它就发起了一系列专利诉讼案。
“业内都认为，诺基亚的专利组合仅次于高通，是通信领域第二好的。”赵松说。公开资料显示，诺基亚拥有与智能手机通信相关的标准必要专利1713件，非标准必要专利5647件。另外有消息人士透露，诺基亚为了在中国市场提起专利诉讼，已经注册了10件涉及短信、近距离通信、视频等领域的核心专利。
致命的是，全球有20%的相关公司没有跟诺基亚签署专利授权，而它们几乎全部都在中国。据赵松透露，诺基亚态度的转变实际上在被收购之前就很明显了。“有找它谈签约或者续约的，但它的诉求已经多少有些变化了。”
这让很多中国厂商感到不适，因为诺基亚此前在华的专利制度是比较宽松的。“那时它在中国有很强大的制造业，专利只是为了维护市场利益，原来可能只对100家中的两三家收费。”赵天武称。
有业内人士称，正是因为诺基亚的这种态度，中国政府才给予它足够多的支持，它们甚至认为诺基亚要比高通更友善，这让诺基亚有机会参与很多中国3G标准的工作。
但诺基亚近几年利用专利主动进攻的次数有所增加。去年，它针对HTC、优派和RIM等厂商发起了诉讼，就在不久前，诺基亚又一次向HTC发起了诉讼。赵松称，除此之外，诺基亚已经把它的部分专利出让给16家所谓的“Patent Troll(专利流氓，一般指没有实体经营而以专利诉讼作为商业模式的专利投机人)”，使其间接攻击竞争对手。
“专利流氓把1000多组诺基亚的专利分拆，然后再组合，这使得它们可以拿到比2%更多的收入，然后再跟诺基亚去分成。”赵松坦言，这让国内手机厂商惴惴不安，“运营成本一下子就上去了，而且如果去开拓国外市场，成本也会非常高。”
而对于诺基亚来讲，这绝对是个好生意。在今年4月发布Q1财报时，诺基亚CFO蒂莫·伊哈莫蒂拉表示今年专利授权将给公司创造6.53亿美元的收入。如果按照研究机构Strategy Analytics预估的数字，明年中国市场的手机销售额将达到555亿美元(包括国外品牌)，诺基亚有可能拿到11亿美元(2%的专利费)的专利收入，远远高于现在的水平。
诺基亚中国区咨讯总监高翔并不认为专利会是未来诺基亚最重要的收入来源，“剩下的三块业务都很大，而且诺基亚在地图和网络设备上也都很强。”
有条件获批
尽管诺基亚的蜕变只是一种可能性，但中国的手机厂商们都希望商务部能考虑此次收购对中国企业及行业的影响。
在记者拿到的一份《关于微软收购诺基亚手机业务对中国市场及行业的影响及建议》中， “禁止此项收购”被放在第一选择，列出的理由是“将限制市场的公平竞争，削弱中国手机制造企业的竞争力，最终导致中国及全球消费者成为受害者”。而在第二选择“附条件批准”中，列出了诸多避免诺基亚和微软“滥用”专利的条件。
“不让交易通过的可能性不大，有条件的通过才是最可能的结果。”北京大学法学院教授张平称。
恰巧就在欧盟通过该交易后不久，欧盟反垄断专员乔奎因·阿尔穆尼亚就在一次公开演讲中警告诺基亚，如果非法利用所持专利，欧盟将对它展开反垄断调查，“诺基亚有可能利用其专利组合来获取更高的回报。换言之，诺基亚可能成为一个‘专利投机者’。”
而中国商务部的难处在于《反垄断法》在2008年8月1日才开始实施，缺少大型企业并购的案例，更缺处理这种相对特殊案例的经验。
但这的确存在着影响整个行业的可能性，商务部绝不会掉以轻心。工信部电信研究院知识产权中心主任续俊旗说，专利许可费的提升将大幅提升手机的价格，在价格敏感的中国市场，这将引发激烈的市场洗牌，对于以价格为主要竞争手段的国内手机厂商，在面临苹果和三星公司的竞争中，生存将更为艰难。“至少得让诺基亚承诺，未来不收取超过目前水准的专利许可费。而且如果微软和诺基亚需要向专利投资公司转让专利时，也得维持目前的专利许可条件。”赵松称。
最近这段时间，各家本土公司都在密切关注这件事情的进展，甚至包括像三星这样的国际品牌也担心诺基亚有可能发起的专利战。中国商务部第二阶段的审查将历时90天，这也是它们为自己争取生存空间的最后时间。
制约创新的“武器”
不久前，北大法学院教授张平参加了一次知识产权的沙龙，微软收购诺基亚手机被当成一个重点案例来讨论。“它会成为一个标志性事件，因为从现在看来，中国在未来的几年会密集地经历这样的事情。”张平说，“我们都在思考专利制度会向何处去，它现在反而成了制约创新的‘武器’。”
来自调研机构Patent Freedom的数据显示，由Patent Troll发起的专利诉讼从2010年起就开始剧增，几乎占到所有知识产权相关诉讼的七成。
这是一门一本万利的生意。比如一家Patent Troll用一件专利告30家公司，其中5家顽抗，25家同意和解。假设每一家和解金有50万美元，那么它就进账1250万美元。可能的支出是500万美元，净赚700万美元。但实际上它也不会真的完全支出500万美元，因为它可以随时撤告，中止成本，赚取和解的那部分，绝大部分的关于知识产权的诉讼都不会进入审判阶段。
中兴通讯知识产权总监王海波告诉经济观察报：“现在，我们到欧洲、北美去做市场，首先要做知识产权的成本测算、风险评估和机会挖掘，比方说当地知识产权的风险相对大一些，那么这个产品的报价就要高一点。”
“所有国家都痛恨Patent Troll，但很多国家都是事后审查，也就是事情发生之后启用反垄断法。我们很难在事前用专利法去约束，因为专利不必然导致垄断，都是间接导致垄断的。”张平称。
所以，这一次几家中国本土公司强烈要求商务部事前审查。因为爱立信在印度发起的专利战已经严重影响到了当地市场的稳定。在剥离了手机业务之后，它对低成本手机收取的专利费率提高了近十倍，使得诸如Micromax这样的印度手机厂商生存艰难。而印度当局发起的事后调查已经很难弥补这几年失去的市场机会了。
中国有着和印度类似的市场，中低端手机是市场增长的核心，制造业相对偏低端，这是诺基亚专利组合可以直接打击的对象。
商务部虽然在整个过程中都没有表态，但它在这件事上的谨慎态度已经足够说明问题。美国总统奥巴马在2011年签署通过了《美国发明法案》，该法案对美国专利体系进行了重大修改，旨在促进美国创新型企业的发展和刺激就业市场的复苏。他认为Patent Troll是毫无生产贡献、专靠敲诈他人成果发财的投机之徒，他还认为专利保护期限应当在保护知识产权和不妨碍创新之间寻找平衡点。但是，他也坦承所有的专利改革才刚刚进行到“半山腰”。
而陈松显然无法寄希望于国家法律法规在未来的完善，因为对于他和他所在的公司来说，眼下这次就已经是命运的判决。
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