Nokia Technologies has filed a lawsuit in a Delaware federal court accusing Paramount of infringing 13 patents linked to video encoding and decoding technologies. The complaint targets Paramount’s streaming services including Paramount+, Pluto TV and BET+ which Nokia claims have been using its multimedia innovations without a proper licence. Legal proceedings have also been initiated in Brazil, signalling a coordinated global enforcement strategy.
According to filings, Nokia has been in licensing talks with Paramount since 2022 but negotiations failed to reach an agreement. The Finnish company, which has pivoted heavily into patent licensing as a revenue stream, is known for its assertive stance in protecting intellectual property. It has pursued similar cases against other major tech and streaming players in recent years, reinforcing its determination to monetise its extensive patent portfolio.
For Paramount, the lawsuit comes at a time of heightened competition in streaming, where technology and cost efficiency are critical. An unfavourable outcome could add significant licensing costs, impacting margins across its digital platforms. The case also highlights how intellectual property disputes are becoming a central battleground in the streaming sector, as content providers rely on increasingly complex technology to deliver services globally.
For legal observers, the case underscores the value and volatility of patent portfolios in shaping industry dynamics. It reflects a wider trend where established tech firms, often outside the media sector itself, exert influence over the commercial frameworks of streaming through IP enforcement. The proceedings will be closely watched as a bellwether for how technology licensors and media conglomerates negotiate value in an era of rapid digital convergence.
