Apple strikes back, sues HTC
- Friday, March 19, 2010, 19:55
- Sci-Tech
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Cites 20 cases of alleged infringements on iPhone patents
The Nexus One, made by HTC for Google
Apple (AAPL) announced Tuesday that it had filed a lawsuit against HTC, the Taiwanese maker of smartphones, for allegedly infringing on 20 Apple patents related to the iPhone's user interface, underlying architecture and hardware.
"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," said Steve Jobs in a statement prepared for release. "We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."
Apple COO Tim Cook had made similar statements last year when asked about the operating system of the Palm (PALM) Pre, which bears a close resemblance to the iPhone's. Google (GOOG)'s Android operating system, which uses some touchscreen gestures Palm's does not, may be even more vulnerable in a patent suit.
Google wasn't mentioned in Apple's press release, but could very well be implicated. Although HTC originally made smartphones that ran Microsoft's (MSFT) Windows Mobile operating system, it began switching to Google's Android in 2009. HTC was the first to market an Android smartphone. It now makes more than half a dozen, including the Nexus One that Google markets.
Among smartphone manufactuers, HTC is considered one of Apple's more aggressive competitors according to Electronista. HTC implemented multi-touch in the Android-based Hero even before Google support it. Last month it unveiled a new smartphone, the Legend, with a unibody aluminum design and black inserts that looks an awful lot like the original iPhone
The lawsuit was filed concurrently with the U.S. International Trade Commission and in U.S. District Court in Delaware.
See also:
- Why Google's CEO had to leave Apple's board
- How Apple and Google compete
- Apple vs. Palm: Fresh shots across the bow
- Apple to Palm Pre: Drop dead
- Apple vs. Palm: Geeks with Grudges
[Follow Philip Elmer-DeWitt on Twitter @philiped]
