U.S. trade judge rules for Nokia over Qualcomm

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nokia (NOK1V.HE) won a round in one of its patent battles with chip maker Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) as a judge with the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled for the mobile telephone maker on Wednesday.

"The administrative law judge, after a review of the record developed, finds inter alia that there is jurisdiction and that there is no violation," wrote Paul Luckern, the administrative law judge who heard the case.

Qualcomm had accused Nokia of infringing on three patents that help reduce dropped calls for Nokia phone users.

The ITC, which determines whether imports unfairly injure U.S. companies, must now decide if it will uphold Luckern's decision. The agency has said it aims to reach a decision by March 12, 2008.

The two companies have been wrangling over a cross- licensing agreement for technology patents that expired in April 2007. Their expensive legal battle is worrying investors and the industry on both sides of the Atlantic.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by Tim Dobbyn)