You might think that the micro-SIM cards used in devices like the iPhone 4S and Lumia 900 are small, but there are several companies that have already submitted designs for an even smaller nano-SIM. Apple is one of those companies, and the Cupertino firm's nano-SIM design has apparently already gotten backing from several European carriers. However, there are some folks concerned that Apple might own the patents related to the design should it be chosen. In order to allay those fears, Apple has sent a letter to the European Telecommunications Standards Institutes (ETSI) to say that it'll offer royalty-free licenses to any nano-SIM-related patents as along as other companies promise to do the same, FOSS Patents reports.

Although Apple's commitment to royalty-free patent licensing doesn't guarantee that its nano-SIM design proposal will be adopted, it could help lessen the concerns that companies like RIM and Nokia have about Apple and its proposal. As FOSS Patents notes, the move shows that Apple isn't interested in having its design chosen just so that it can get paid from patent licenses. The ETSI will be gathering later this week at the Smart Card Platform Plenary where the situation will be discussed, so we may not have to wait long before more comes from this situation. Stay tuned!

Via MacRumors, FOSS Patents (Image via Apple)