Apple files patent infringement suit against Taiwanese mobile handset maker
Claiming that HTC Corp. infringed 20 patents related to the Apple iPhone user interface, underlying architecture and hardware, the Cupertino, CA-based computer and mobile phone maker filed a lawsuit against the Taiwan-based mobile handset producer with the US ITC and US District Court in Delaware.
By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Contributing Editor -- EDN, March 2, 2010
Claiming infringement on 20 of its patents related to the iPhone user interface, underlying architecture and hardware, Apple www.apple.comfiled a lawsuit against Taiwan-based mobile handset producer HTC Corp.
Apple filed the suit concurrently with the US International Trade Commission and in US District Court in Delaware.
Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO said in a statement, “We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We’ve decided to do something about it. We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours.”
In response, HTC said in a statement that it is a "mobile technology innovator and patent holder that has been very focused over the past 13 years on creating many of the most innovative smartphones," and that it "values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations."
HTC said it only learned of Apple’s actions this morning via media reports, and therefore has not yet had the opportunity to investigate the filings. "Until we have had this opportunity, we are unable to comment on the validity of the claims being made against HTC," the company concluded.
*This article was edited to include comment from HTC Corp.
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Since HTC sources most of its technology, it would seem that Apple is also taking on Google (Android OS) and Synaptics (touch controllers). This could be a big deal if there respective patent positions are not strong. After all, Apple has been working in this space for a long time and has an impressive patent portfolio.
Sir Oscar Wilde - 2010-2-3 17:33:00 PST -
Some time ego Apple sued Microsoft for stealing their idea of the windows GUI environment. Ops! they did not mention in their law suit of a company called Xerox that had shown to Steve Jobs the GUI developed for their,never commercialized, computer. (If I remember correctly Apple lost)
Let us see what will happen this time.
One thing is sure, the so called defender of Law,Rights and Justice, vulgarly called attorneys, will be the winners.
good day.
gld
Giovanni Le Donne - 2010-2-3 14:22:00 PST
