Apple seeks up to $15 per Android device in settlements offered to Motorola, Samsung
Apple's apparent willingness to cut deals with its competitors was revealed on Tuesday by Dow Jones Newswires, which cited anonymous sources who indicated Apple has put forth proposals to both Motorola Mobility and Samsung Electronics.
The settlements offered by Apple allegedly seek royalty payments and other terms from both companies. It was said that Apple has asked for between $5 and $15 per handset for some of the patents in one negotiation, which would amount to between 1 percent and 2.5 percent of sales per device.
If true, the number is similar to what Motorola has sought in its own proposed settlement with Apple. Motorola revealed in court filings in February that it has asked for 2.25 percent of Apple's sales of wireless devices in exchange for a patent license covering its standard-essential intellectual property.
According to Dow Jones, Apple already had negotiations with companies, including Samsung, before it decided to turn to litigation. The iPhone maker first sued Samsung last April, accusing the company of copying the look and feel of the iPhone and iPad.
It's unknown whether settlement negotiations between Apple and its rivals are currently taking place, the report said. People familiar with the issue portrayed it as part of an "ongoing process."
Patent infringement suits have become commonplace in the wireless industry, as many companies that design and sell smartphones are involved in litigation with one another in complaints lodged around the world.
Apple's disputes with Motorola and Samsung are of particular interest for their own reasons. Motorola is a newly acquired subsidiary of Google, the maker of Android, while Samsung, in addition to competing with Apple, is one of the company's chief suppliers of components like displays, flash memory and chips.
72 Comments
What Motorola has sought in its proposed settlement is nothing like what Apple wants. Apple is in no way obligated to license it's patents whereas Motorola's patents are on FRAND terms and has no choice but to license them.
Well, Apple offers premium products, and now, premium patents
Well, Apple offers premium products, and now, premium patents
Simply on principle, Apple should be demanding at least $100/per handset. Hell, $200. Shut em out as far as I'm concerned. Let them go back to their blackberry clone before Schmidt caught wind of what Apple did.
Simply on principle, Apple should be demanding at least $100/per handset. Hell, $200. Shut em out as far as I'm concerned. Let them go back to their blackberry clone before Schmidt caught wind of what Apple did.
Ironically the competition their copying came with is a good thing for all iOS users.
I can't believe they had negotiations prior to Job's passing. But it looks like a good solution to Samsung et.al. - though $15 will be hard to swallow.
Then again, Microsoft gets $5 from HTC per Android sold.