Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Apple sues HTC over phones with Google software
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (1)
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Senate breaks logjam to restore jobless aid
02 Mar 2010
Rangel to step down from key post in Congress: report
02 Mar 2010
Dubai police chief says to seek Netanyahu arrest
02 Mar 2010
Jay Leno plays it safe in "Tonight Show" return
02 Mar 2010
Mute Chicago film critic Ebert "voices" Oscar picks
02 Mar 2010
Toyota to announce March incentives in U.S.
01 Mar 2010
Starbucks tests larger iced drinks
02 Mar 2010
Senate breaks logjam to restore jobless aid
02 Mar 2010
PREVIEW-ECB to announce further exit steps for Q2, hold rates
01 Mar 2010
Getting naked for art at the Sydney Opera House
01 Mar 2010
SPECIAL REPORT
Inside Apple's fortress of secrets
Inside a walled city in South China and amid intense security, employees are provided with dormitories, canteens, recreation facilities, even banks, post offices and bakeries. The goal? Keep Apple's secrets. Full Article
Apple's iPad e-book store to use DRM: report
Mobile operators unite to fight Apple app store
Apple sues HTC over phones with Google software
Gabriel Madway
SAN FRANCISCO
Tue Mar 2, 2010 10:12pm EST
A customer tries out the new iPhone 3GS on the first day it is being sold at the Apple Store in Zurich June 19, 2009.
Credit: Reuters/Christian Hartmann
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc sued Taiwan's HTC Corp, which makes touchscreen smartphones using Google software, accusing it of infringing 20 hardware and software patents related to the iPhone.
Technology | Media
Even though the suit did not name Google Inc as a defendant, Apple's move was viewed by many analysts as proxy for an attack on the Internet company, whose Nexus One smartphone is manufactured by HTC.
"I think this is kind of an indirect lawsuit against Google," said Kaufman Bros analyst Shaw Wu.
Apple's suit was filed with both the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. District Court in Delaware on Tuesday, and seeks to prohibit HTC from selling, marketing or distributing infringing products in the United States.
The complaint filed with the ITC cited Google's Nexus One, which was launched in January, and other HTC phones such as the Hero, Dream and myTouch -- which run on Google's Android mobile operating system -- as infringing products.
In a statement, a Google spokeswoman said: "We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it."
HTC said in a statement that it was looking at the filings.
"HTC values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations," spokesman Keith Nowak said.
In a statement in Taipei on Wednesday, HTC added that it had not had the opportunity to investigate the suit.
"Until we have had this opportunity, we are unable to comment on the validity of the claims being made against HTC."
In a separate statement to the Taiwan stock exchange, HTC said it will not see any impact on its financial outlook for the first quarter from the lawsuit.
By 0250 GMT, HTC shares lost 1.4 percent in Taipei in a broader market up 0.4 percent. The stock had fallen as much as 3 percent in early trade.
"The news is having some impact on HTC's shares but lawsuits are quite common among tech firms and I would say it is just a threat from Apple this time," said John Chiu, a fund manager at Taiwan's Fuh Hwa Securities Investment Trust.
"However, HTC is not a good buy in the longer term since its margins will be coming under pressure when competition intensifies."
FIERCE COMPETITION
Apple's move comes amid fierce competition in the smartphone market, as new players angle for a piece of the fast-growing segment.
Mark Simpson, a patent attorney with law firm Saul Ewing in Philadelphia, said HTC made for an easier target than Google.
"It's probably simpler for them to go after the company making the infringing goods, which is HTC. It's easier to prove at this point," he said.
MKM Partners analyst Tero Kuittinen agreed.
"HTC is an optimal target for Apple -- it's a relatively small vendor with a weak brand. It may be easier to push around than Samsung (which also makes Android smartphones). One question here is whether Apple can intimidate operators to back away from new HTC products by flashing the possibility of litigation trouble."
Apple said HTC "knowingly induce(s) users of accused HTC Android products" to infringe on a number of Apple's patents, some dating back to the mid-1990s. They cover user interface processes and other software and hardware components.
"We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours," Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said in a news release.
An Apple spokesman declined to comment beyond the complaints.
The iPhone held a 14.4 percent smartphone market share in 2009, according to research group Gartner.
Phones running Android comprised only 3.9 percent of the market, but were growing fast. Apple lost some share to Android phones in the fourth quarter.
"This move could be a sign Apple is getting rattled by Google's recent momentum in the mobile space -- notably the avalanche of Android products unveiled at Mobile World Congress," said Ben Wood from CCS Insight.
Apple's lawsuit is the latest scrape over ownership of the underlying technology for smartphones -- handsets that play video and music, take pictures and send e-mail.
Eastman Kodak Co in January filed a complaint with the ITC, saying Apple's iPhone and Research in Motion Ltd's BlackBerry camera phones infringe the photography company's patents.
Nokia, the world's top mobile phone maker, has also sued Apple over patents. Apple has countersued.
That dispute, potentially involving hundreds of millions of dollars in annual royalties, reflects the shifting balance of power in the mobile industry as cellphones morph into handheld computers that can play video games and surf the Web.
In its ITC filing against HTC, Apple noted that some of the patents at issue are at the center of its legal fight with Nokia.
Shares of Cupertino, California-based Apple fell 14 cents to close at $208.85 on Nasdaq.
(Additional reporting by Sinead Carew and Franklin Paul in NEW YORK, Tarmo Virki in HELSINKI and Jonathan Standing, Jennifer Yang and Baker Li in TAIPEI; Editing by Tiffany Wu, Gary Hill, Richard Chang and Anshuman Daga)
Technology
Media
Comments
See All Comments (1) | Post Comment
Mar 02, 2010 8:13pm EST
For more details, see here:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/03/02/inside_apples_lawsuit_against_htc.html
AND:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/03/02/apple_sues_htc_for_alleged_infringement_of_20_iphone_patents.html
jmmx
Report As Abusive
See All Comments (1)
Add a Comment
More from Reuters
Senate breaks logjam to restore jobless aid
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Highway money and jobless funds were set to flow again after the Senate ended a standoff on Tuesday that disrupted benefits for hundreds of thousands of unemployed Americans.
Exclusive: Arab League to back indirect Mideast talks: source
FTSE up 0.2 percent; banks higher as HSBC recovers
China eyes basically steady yuan in 2010: minister
S&P says less pessimistic than markets on Greece
Perry wins Texas Republican governor primary
» More Top News
Home is where the money is
Among the Chinese, a gleaming highrise is a symbol of stature and stability. But owning a piece of it is a distant dream. Video
When will Beijing loosen its grip?
Factbox: Risks to watch in China
China
Who gets the next seat?
The people who fill empty Fed seats will influence interest rates and tackle the post-crisis economy. Making a choice that doesn't rattle markets is the hard part. Full Article
Obama won't fill Fed seats this week
Economy
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts.com
Buyouts Europe:
Buyouts Conferences:
Venture Capital Journal
EVCJ
International Financing Review
International Securitisation Report
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Wednesday, 3 March 2010 Rwandan president's widow arrested for genocide
Seven NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan in 48 hours
Google Italy verdict 'distressing': State Department
Car makers brush off crisis in Geneva
Apple sues HTC for iPhone patent infringement
Ukraine coalition collapses
EU authorises GMO potatoes
Russia says still room for diplomacy with Iran
Rwandan leader's widow bailed in genocide case
Robot footballers wow crowd in Germany
Japan passes record $1 trillion budget
Dow Jones buys Hearst half of SmartMoney
Turkish general charged in anti-govt conspiracy case
Serbian 'war criminal' detained in Spain
Japan's top web forum hacked after attacks on Korean skater
Iraqi voters showered with gifts as election nears
Turkish general charged in anti-government conspiracy case
|
Apple claims HTC infringed iPhone patents
U.S. voices concern over Afghan media rules
|
Yemen blast kills up to 19, levels apartment block
|
BBC signals new strategy after commercial criticism
|
Siemens execs held in latest French bossnapping
|
Official: Pakistani group behind Kabul attacks
Guilty plea expected in New York subway bomb plot
Clinton visits quake-hit Chile
Turkmenistan pledges to improve its prison system
China, US seek to put tensions behind them
Bill would have tech companies guard human rights
|
Activists: Uzbekistan orders forced sterilizations
Pakistani army wraps up combat operations in Bajur
Fossils of snake eating dino eggs found in India
Kabul says no decision to charge Taliban No. 2
Rescuers try to save 31 trapped in China coal mine
Afghan govt says it's not banning attacks coverage
Oscar: Hollywood's golden mystery man
Indonesia watchdog appeals against Carrefour ruling
Toyota repairing leaky oil hoses in US, Japan
China's BYD, Daimler team up on electric vehicle
Bowie, Ronson slam BBC for plans to axe 6 Music
Baroness Thyssen wants Spanish state to buy art collection
Mute Chicago film critic Ebert "voices" Oscar picks
Oscar: Hollywood's golden mystery man
"Billy Elliot" to debut in South Korea
Retailers see opportunity in Romania despite recession
Moscow mayor defends Stalin poster campaign
Cambodia PM warns of cosmetic surgery dangers
Economic crisis silences Romania rock festival
Bowie, Ronson slam BBC for plans to axe 6 Music
|
Mute Chicago film critic Ebert voices Oscar picks
|
Hurt Locker breaks Hollywood's Iraq war curse
|
Chile steps up search for victims in quake-hit areas
|
Investigators need Madeleine McCann files: spokesman
Afghan police and army prove a mixed class for US officers
Cisco makes companies more smartphone friendly
Eurozone, markets demand tough Greek austerity plan
Private equity firm makes bid for Novell
Chile quake moved Earth's axis, shortened days: scientist
US-TECH Summary
Australia government plans $45 billion overhaul of health
|
South Africa's Zuma starts British state visit
Greece risks 'bankruptcy' without radical action: PM
Spanish court jails Basque leader for 'glorifying terrorism'
Netanyahu intervenes in sensitive Jerusalem project
U.N. council ready to tackle Iran nuclear issue
|
AT&T CEO sees iPad mostly used on Wi-Fi
Dubai seeks Israeli PM's arrest over hotel murder
TiVo unveils set-top box for video from TV, Web
US cyber defense strategy details hit the Internet
Netanyahu intervenes in sensitive Jerusalem project
|
Sweeping changes needed to save US post office
Kansas city changes name -- temporarily -- to Google
Spain busts ring accused of infecting 13 mln PCs
Ukraine's Yanukovich moves to tighten grip on power
|
North Korean nuclear envoy set to visit U.S., says South
|
Activision forms new "Call of Duty" unit
Five killed in bombings in northeast Iraqi city
|
Nigeria's powerful state governors back acting leader
|
Dubai police chief says to seek Netanyahu arrest
|
US vets return to Iwo Jima for 65th anniversary
Taliban, not drugs, focus of US-Afghan offensive
Weight Watchers OKs McDonald's fast food menu
China, US work to repair frayed ties
Obama to push healthcare overhaul into final act
Indian police arrest top Maoist leader
Clinton visits quake-hit Chile
Officer suspected of stealing ivory in Philippines
China artist sues government over right to know
NZ jails German tourist for smuggling reptiles
Father, daughter shot dead in Thai south
East Timor to deliver verdict on assassination bids
Activision forms new Call of Duty unit
|
Apple sues HTC over phones with Google software
|
TiVo unveils set-top box for video from TV, Web
|
Spain busts ring accused of infecting 13 mln PCs
|
AT&T CEO sees iPad mostly used on Wi-Fi
|
S.Korea Jan output data points to waning recovery
Seoul shares edge up on automakers, Woori Fin
India telecom tycoon Africa moves spook investors
NZ dollar pinned near nine-year lows vs Aussie
Taiwan's HTC denies infringing iPhone patents
Too old for Hollywood? Try film directing
"Hurt Locker" breaks Hollywood's Iraq war curse
PAKISTAN
S.Korea March crude runs to fall 7 pct-survey
Seoul shares up on carmakers; output data weighs
Seoul shares flat; Hyundai up after strong sales
Ford overtakes GM in US sales, Toyota falters amid recalls
Leno recaptures old audience, critics underwhelmed
|
Meet the lawyer who guards the door at the Oscars
|
Sudan's land of 'black pharaohs' a trove for archaeologists
Oliver Stone shocked on revisit to Wall St
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jane's Addiction member quits after Australia tour
Book on atom bomb horrors halted over false stories
|
"Hurt Locker" producers sued days before Oscars
Jane's Addiction member quits after Australia tour
|
Bollywood actresses drive Indian slimming fashion
Women directors face 'celluloid ceiling'
NY police seek Naomi Campbell for assault questions
|
Hurt Locker producers sued days before Oscars
|
Hurt Locker producer punished for Oscar violation
|
"Hurt Locker" producer punished for Oscar violation
Oliver Stone "shocked" on revisit to Wall St
Barbara Walters bids farewell to Oscar special
|
Barbara Walters bids farewell to Oscar special
NY police seek Naomi Campbell for assault questions
Arab League gives Mideast talks 4-month window
Greek ministers meet to avert bankruptcy
Suicide blasts kill 33 ahead of Iraq polls
Suicide bombers kill 33 in Iraqi city before poll
Arab League gives Mideast talks 4-month window
|
Search goes on for Uganda landslide survivors
|
Skype gets into Nokia smartphones
Suicide attacks kill 29 ahead of Iraq polls
U.N. council ready to tackle Iran nuclear issue
|
Iran upholds student protester death penalty:report
Suicide bombers kill 33 in Iraqi city before poll
|
Ukraine's government falls in no-confidence vote
|
Mobile transfers save money and lives in Somalia
|
International probe cracks Iran arms smuggling ring
|
Religious schools under scrutiny in Yemen
|
15 dead, 6 blinded from tainted liquor in India
Spain busts global botnet masterminds
|
Opera says demand up as Microsoft opens EU market
|
China jails 3 executives for tainted milk products
Drought affects 6 million in southern China
Australian house booby-trapped with 50 fake bombs
Mobile transfers save money and lives in Somalia
|
Skype gets into Nokia smartphones
|
5 dead, 6 blinded from tainted liquor in India
Malaysian convicted of Sydney murder is free man
East Timor convicts 24 rebels over murder plots
Philippine police arrest 3 Abu Sayyaf suspects
Drought drops Mekong River to nearly 2-decade low
Skype gets into Nokia smartphones
SKorea grounds all F-5 fighter jets after crash
Pakistani rupee firms; o/n rates, stocks down
Nissan recalls nearly 540,000 vehicles worldwide
GM says China sales up 51 pct in February
Panasonic chief says TV business to turn profit
GM's China sales up 51 percent in February
Seinfeld's "Marriage Ref" worth a few giggles
PREVIEW-Taiwan CPI seen up 2 pct y/y in February
Standard Chartered unveils record profits
Bank bailout shows cracks in Indonesian government
MARKETS-KOREA-STOCKS (UPDATE 2) =2
13 suspected militants arrested in Indonesian Aceh
Seinfeld's Marriage Ref worth a few giggles
|
Ten movies vie for top honors at new-look Oscars
HK sex photos actress reunites with Twins bandmate
Seinfeld's "Marriage Ref" worth a few giggles
Palestinian village known for protests sees cultural rebirth
Former Swiss wine grower uncovers Sudan's ancient roots
Book on atom bomb horrors halted over false stories
Meet the lawyer who guards the door at the Oscars
U.S. unveils cybersecurity safeguard plan
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights