Josh OngHTC amended its complaint earlier in September to add the newly acquired patents, two of them previously owned by Palm and three initially issued to Openwave. At that time, the company also filed a lawsuit with a Delaware federal court asserting four patents from Motorola that it had also obtained from Google.
MacNN noted that the ITC has 45 days to provide an estimate on when to expect a final ruling. The case is expected to take roughly 18 months.
Though the ITC lacks the power to levy fines, it is able to block imports of products it deems infringing. Of course, companies usually settle well before an import ban, often using perceived threats from the ITC as leverage in negotiations.
Apple sued HTC first last March, asserting 20 patents related to the iPhone against the Taiwanese company. HTC responded last May by filing a countersuit with the ITC accusing Apple of infringing on five of its patents.
In July, Apple won an initial victory against its competitor when the ITC ruled that HTC had violated two of the iPhone maker's patents. That ruling, however, is subject to review by the full six-member commission, expected to arrive by Dec. 6. The review will reexamine two additional patents to evaluate whether HTC has violated them. Apple has also filed a second complaint with the ITC.
Some analysts have warned that a final Apple victory against HTC could set a high royalty precedent for other devices powered by Google's Android operating system. Microsoft is already said to collect $5 per Android device that HTC sells. According to one analysis of the case, the patents ITC has found HTC guilty of infringing on may also apply to other Android makers.
The potential risk of patent liability has reportedly led some Chinese handset makers to make plans to switch to Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.
Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
5 Comments
9to5Mac has an article up with a different view of the Apple/HTC legal issues, including detail on the relationship between S3, HTC and Via, another company who recently filed suit against Apple. All three are owned by the same parent company, Formosa Plastics, and they're no small player either, controlling significant IP. As such 9to5 questions whether "Apple opened Pandora?s box by going after HTC". In their opinion Apple may very well come out on the short end of this one when everything is settled.
"Apple now finds themselves in lawsuits with both VIA Technology and HTC. Both Taiwan entities will draw on the expertise of nearly thirty companies in the Formosa Plastics Group. After all the attorneys have their say in court, Apple will probably duplicate Intel?s squabble with VIA Technology and simply settle out of court for an undisclosed amount of money and cross-licensing of technology. Unless the Wang family decides to use VIA as a leverage for other ventures and lawsuits. After all, Wang family recently transferred ownership of S3 Graphics from VIA Technologies to HTC."
http://9to5mac.com/2011/09/26/formos...-never-awoken/
9to5Mac has an article up with a different view of the Apple/HTC legal issues, including detail on the relationship between S3, HTC and Via, another company who recently filed suit against Apple. All three are owned by the same parent company, Formosa Plastics, and they're no small player either, controlling significant IP. As such 9to5 questions whether "Apple opened Pandora?s box by going after HTC". In their opinion Apple may very well come out on the short end of this one when everything is settled.
"Apple now finds themselves in lawsuits with both VIA Technology and HTC. Both Taiwan entities will draw on the expertise of nearly thirty companies in the Formosa Plastics Group. After all the attorneys have their say in court, Apple will probably duplicate Intel?s squabble with VIA Technology and simply settle out of court for an undisclosed amount of money and cross-licensing of technology. Unless the Wang family decides to use VIA as a leverage for other ventures and lawsuits. After all, Wang family recently transferred ownership of S3 Graphics from VIA Technologies to HTC."
http://9to5mac.com/2011/09/26/formos...-never-awoken/
Thanks for the link and context!
Google is indeed the new evil. Stealing everyone else's technology to use in android, then buying up patents from distressed and defunct companies to try to cover up and obviate their crimes. And now they are handing out those patents like candy to the Asian clone whores so they can try to defend themselves for their crimes. Google, you are so pathetic.
Google is indeed the new evil. Stealing everyone else's technology to use in android, then buying up patents from distressed and defunct companies to try to cover up and obviate their crimes. And now they are handing out those patents like candy to the Asian clone whores so they can try to defend themselves for their crimes. Google, you are so pathetic.
you're an idiot...Google has nothing to do with this AND HTC are hardly "asian clone whores"
Also what do you feel about Apple's recent patent acquisitions? Are they evil too?
9to5Mac has an article up with a different view of the Apple/HTC legal issues, including detail on the relationship between S3, HTC and Via, another company who recently filed suit against Apple. All three are owned by the same parent company, Formosa Plastics, and they're no small player either, controlling significant IP. As such 9to5 questions whether "Apple opened Pandora?s box by going after HTC". In their opinion Apple may very well come out on the short end of this one when everything is settled.
Apple never steals IP. So the lawsuits will go nowhere.