Apple Pulls All Withings Accessories From Apple Online Store Following Nokia Lawsuit

[MacRumors]

In the wake of its legal dispute with Nokia, Apple has pulled all Withings-branded accessories from its online store and presumably from all of its retail stores around the world.

Apple appears to have pulled the accessories in the last day or two, eliminating Withings products like the Body Cardio Scale, the Smart Body Analyzer, and the Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor. When searching for these products on Apple's site, they are no longer listed as available for purchase.

Apple has stopped offering all Withings products because Withings is owned by Nokia following a spring 2016 purchase worth an estimated $192 million. The Withings brand has been integrated into Nokia's Digital Health unit and is led by Cedric Hutchings, formerly the CEO of Withings.

A cached version of the listing for the Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor, no longer available from Apple.com​

Earlier this week, Apple filed an antitrust lawsuit accusing Nokia and several patent assertion entities of illegally transferring patents to attempt to extort excessive royalty fees from the Cupertino company. Apple had established FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) deals with Nokia, but by transferring patents to patent holding companies, additional royalties can be demanded.

In response, Nokia filed 40 patent infringement lawsuits against Apple across 11 countries, accusing the Cupertino company of failing to establish licensing deals for Nokia patents that cover displays, user interface, software, antenna, chipsets, and video coding.

According to Apple, Nokia has been conspiring with patent assertion entities (Acacia Research and Conversant Property Management) in an "illegal patent transfer scheme" to wring money out of Apple because Nokia's cell phone business is failing. Nokia, meanwhile, says that it has not been able to reach a licensing agreement with Apple and must defend its rights.

Article Link: Apple Pulls All Withings Accessories From Apple Online Store Following Nokia Lawsuit

 

[kingofwale]

not the first time Apple pull this crap. It's almost if the entire retail market is controlled by some with the maturity of highschool freshman

 

[robeddie]

I know it's their right, but at the same time, it seems so childish. And let's face it, Apple is suing other companies left and right too. In fact, haven't they battled Samsung? They should cut all ties with Samsung too (yeah, right).

 

[Xi Xone]

I wonder if Nokia patented a rectangle phone first

 

[tooltalk]

I always thought this is something Jobs would have done. It seems this petulant 12-year old behavior is deeply ingrained in Apple's corporate culture.

 

[Stella]

Apple throwing its toys out of the stroller.

Grow up.

Apple store is the last place I'd personally buy a fitness gadget.

 

[krause734]

Sounds like a catfight.

 

[robeddie]

I wonder if Nokia patented a rectangle phone first

The way the idiotic patent system works, that's probably not far off. Many have argued the patent laws should be eliminated, and they make a good point IMO.

https://source.wustl.edu/2009/03/ec...-laws-are-killing-innovation-hurting-economy/

 

[macTW]

Petty!

not the first time Apple pull this crap. It's almost if the entire retail market is controlled by some with the maturity of highschool freshman

Is this the petty and ridiculous part of the entire scenario, or is the "Apple is suing us on a legitimate issue, let's sue them back because we don't like it!" behavior of Nokia the petty and kid-like actions?

 

[npmacuser5]

Apple throwing its toys out of the stroller.

Grow up.

Apple store is the last place I'd personally buy a fitness gadget.

So maybe it is actually a good business decision. Maybe others shared your attitude about purchasing fitness gadgets from Apple.

 

[robeddie]

Apple throwing its toys out of the stroller.

Grow up.

Apple store is the last place I'd personally buy a fitness gadget.

A fitness gadget ... um ... like an Apple Watch? I think a lot of people agree with you, based on their apparent weak sales, lol

 

[Stella]

Poor little Timmy - having a temper tamptrum.

If so, master Timmy should stop selling Fitbit products.

So maybe it is actually a good business decision. Maybe others shared your attitude about purchasing fitness gadgets from Apple.

 

[3pp]

It's not petty. If a company is suing you, and doing it in the way described in this article, you are not going to devote space on your shelves, in your retail stores, to that company. Simple.

 

[HiVolt]

I know it's their right, but at the same time, it seems so childish. And let's face it, Apple is suing other companies left and right too. In fact, haven't they battled Samsung? They should cut all ties with Samsung too (yeah, right).

They probably would, but they actually need Samsung as a supplier, since Apple doesn't actually make any part of its gadgets themselves...

They don't need Nokia for anything

 

[dannys1]

Withing away...

 

[NY Guitarist]

Seems a reasonable thing to do considering Nokia is allegedly violating agreed upon conditions concerning patent licensing.

 

[britboyj]

Most companies tend not to enjoy funding lawsuits held against them... It's not about "throwing the toys out with the pram," it's about preventing conflicts of interest.

 

[Small White Car]

So is it "petty" that Microsoft stores don't sell iPhones?

Is Disney wrong for not putting Shrek on its shelves?

All seems reasonable to me.


EDIT: Releasing an OS update that blocks them from working on with iPhones would be petty. Not selling them is totally different.

 

[Stella]

That has yet to be determined by the courts.

Seems a reasonable thing to do considering Nokia is violating agreed upon conditions concerning patent licensing.

 

[robeddie]

They probably would, but they actually need Samsung as a supplier, since Apple doesn't actually make any part of its gadgets themselves...

They don't need Nokia for anything

Right, that was my point. They're acting like a child, when there's no consequence in doing so.

 

[NY Guitarist]

That has yet to be determined by the courts.

Thanks. Corrected to say *allegedly

 

[B4U]

Not the first time for Apple to do this...
But just... ↓

 

[GFF]

I know it's their right, but at the same time, it seems so childish. And let's face it, Apple is suing other companies left and right too. In fact, haven't they battled Samsung? They should cut all ties with Samsung too (yeah, right).

Yeah, because Samsung's Galaxy (introduced shortly after iPhone) took the likeness and several features of iPhone. They even have internal documents showing them ripping off the design, so it would seem legitimate. Who else is Apple suing?
[doublepost=1482539459][/doublepost]

Apple throwing its toys out of the stroller.

Grow up.

Apple store is the last place I'd personally buy a fitness gadget.

Good for you.

 

[pat500000]

Message to nokia and Apple: "meow."

 

[Juan007]

Another worthless company that can't compete with Apple. iPhone was literally the death of Nokia, there's nothing left but patent trolls.