Technology licensing firm Wi-Lan Inc said on Wednesday it has settled all patent litigation with telecoms equipment maker UTStarcom Inc.

Wi-Lan, which develops and licenses intellectual property for products in the communications and consumer electronics markets, said the terms of the settlement were confidential. UTStarcom becomes the 11th handset maker and 99th company to reach an agreement with Wi-LaN, joining Research in Motion, Nokia, Samsung and many others, said Bill Middleton, senior vice-president and general counsel. In June 2008, Wi-LaN had initiated litigation in the Texas district court against a number of major handset suppliers, alleging infringement of certain patents owned by it.

Wi-Lan, whose litigation costs accounted for about a third of its total operating expenses in 2009, said on Tuesday it sees higher-than-expected litigation expense.

Wi-Lan shares closed at C$3.40 Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

(Reporting by Bhaswati Mukhopadhyay in Bangalore; Editing by Jarshad Kakkrakandy)

Patent