Apple calls for revised patent licence rules

Apple has appealed to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), requesting revisions to patent licence rules.

The iPhone maker called for "more consistent and transparent" means for companies to license their "essential" patents, in a letter to the ETSI submitted last November, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Samsung and Motorola have both sued Apple for patent infringement in recent months. The latter enforced a sales ban on the firm in the German market, but the ruling was later overturned.

Apple's letter focuses on so-called fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) principles, which enable companies to license technologies critical to a recognised standard.

The firm suggested changes to royalty rates and proposed a 'no injunction' policy, by which rival parties would not enforce sales bans in FRAND-patent disputes.

"Apple is committed to this framework, provided that other parties reciprocate," said Bruce Watrous, Apple's chief intellectual property counsel.

Reports of alleged FRAND abuse have emerged throughout the tech industry. Last month, Samsung came under scrutiny by the European Commission following reports the firm had used its patents as an anti-competitive tool.