Android Phones
ITC rules HTC violates Apple patents, bans select devices from the U.S.
December 19, 2011 | by Andrew Kameka
HTC
The ITC has ruled in favor of Apple in its battle with HTC, confirming that HTC’s mobile phones and tablets contain features and functions that violate Apple’s intellectual property. As a result, the ITC has banned the importation of any HTC product that violates Apple’s IP.
Citing concerns for “competitive conditions” in the U.S. economy, the ban will not take place until April 19, 2012. Furthermore, HTC will continue to be able to import refurbished models of existing handsets until December 19, 2013.
Today’s ruling is not a blanket ban of all HTC products. It merely prevents the importation of HTC handsets that violate two specific patents, so there’s no telling yet which phones fit that description. HTC could possibly avoid this issue in the future by retooling the way that its phones handle certain tasks. Among those offending features are the ability to tap on a number within an email and dial it from the phone.
Apple’s more serious allegations of patent infringements were thrown out, and the lead time before a ban kicks in gives HTC time to make changes to its devices. Users could see features removed or implemented in a new way that doesn’t violate Apple’s intellectual property. What remains to be seen is how, if at all, this ruling might affect what HTC planned to do in future devices. CES is next month and Mobile World Congress follows shortly after, so we’re approaching a period when HTC has several products to unveil. That’s not the time you want to have a negative ITC ruling looming over your head. HTC may have already developed a fix to address these issues.
ITC Ruling via Foss Patents, The Verge
So the ITC is honoring a patent given to Apple that amounts to nothing more than a hyperlink? This patent trolling is getting SOOO out of hand.
A super special hyperlink that allows you to click a phone number and have it dial the number…Does anyone buy a phone for this particular feature? It was a waste of Apple's and taxpayer dollars.
[...] Comments [...]
This is a crock of stinking excrement! You can't dial a number by clicking a link in an email on a phone? The chairman of the ITC probably has TONS of Apple stock!
I think Apple is really finding ways just to stop its competitor from selling its phone. My recent post Should You Get the HTC Rezound Instead of the LG Nitro HD?
law sue is the last hope for Apple to win the smartphone war….. poor apple….