Globetech, a Thailand digital mapping services provider has filed a lawsuit against Nokia and Navteq, its mapping subsidiary overcopyright violation. Globetech is seeking punitive damages of 540 million baht($17.5 million)
“This is the first legal case in which a Thai company has sued global firms [Nokia of Finland and Navteq of US],” Wichai Saenghirunwattna, general manager of Globetech told the Bangkok Post.
By suing, they seek to show how digital map content is growing with the assistance of smartphones and the digital map market in Thailand has an annual growth of 200-300% annually.And Mr Wichai said that the investigative team found out that Nokia’s Ovi Map supplied by Navteq violated the map’s content copyright.
The company had sent a warning letter last year which started negotiations that have since broken down resulting in the court case filed in the 5th of October to the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court.
One Nokia executive said on condition of anonymity that they are aware of the suit adding, “We are monitoring the situation and studying the details. We’ll take any necessary steps to defend ourselves.”
