I have to think that the author of the article added this statement precisely so that the reader would make the same inference that you did.
It could be that they legitimately spent time and money researching technology, only to have it brazenly ripped off by Apple, and they just realized it right now. Starting legal proceedings against a big company like Apple isn't something you do between lunch and your afternoon cup of coffee, after all.
(But actually, I made the same inference, and I think it's right. I am just pointing out how carefully-picked "facts" can lead you to believe something that you imagined is a fact.)
"Earlier this month, Nokia posted its first quarterly loss in a decade amid falling sales."
And that in the same month where Apple has a record quarter.
If you can't beat 'em, sue 'em.