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Google CEO Larry Page talks patents

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by Robert Nazarian on
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There has been a number of stories lately on patents and lawsuits. The more Android is a success, the more the competitors try to find ways to derail it. Right now there are about 48 Android-related lawsuits, and I even went on a little rant about it here.

During the Q2 2011 conference call, Google CEO Larry Page said the following:

“Android’s really on a tear. I mentioned there are over 550,000 new Android activations. There’s over 400 such devices. Thirty-nine OEMs. Two-hundred-and-thirty-one carriers in 123 countries, and over 78 Open Handset Allience partners, and that velocity’s only increasing.

“Now, of course, despite the efforts of some of our competitors, there hasn’t been any slowdown in any of those things. And, you know, partners and developers are continuing to expand the Android ecosystem.

“And I should say, of course, we’re really committed to Android and continue to support that platform and ecosystem, and do it in a cost-effective manner.”

I have to agree with Page on the fact that Android is on a tear and that there has been no slowdown, but at some point the costs associated with all of these legal battles is going to be an issue, especially for the OEMs. We can only assume that Google has a plan….In Google We Trust.

[via androidcentral]

48 Android-related lawsuits and counting, Apple files second patent-infringement complaint against HTC

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by Robert Nazarian on
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Yesterday, I reported about Apple’s complaint with GetJar, and it turned it into a rant about how ridiculous these lawsuits are. This time I promise to just report the news and not rant about it, but if you missed it, you can read it here.

Today is another day and it means another complaint or lawsuit. Apple may not be winning in market share, but they are no doubt winning in the complaint filings. They have just filed a second patent-infringement complaint against HTC at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Their goal is to block imports of “personal electronic devices” by HTC.

If anyone is keeping tabs, this appears to be the 48th Android-related lawsuit. This complaint involves 5 patents, three of which are being used against Samsung. Apple first went after HTC back in March 2010, which involved 10 patents. That case is still going on, and it appears that Apple feels its chances are not so good. Back in April, the ITC staff expressed its opinion that HTC did not infringe upon any valid Apple patents. The final determination is scheduled for August 5th, which will most likely be the same result.

In addition to the the ITC complaints, Apple filed two lawsuits against HTC last year in Delaware. The first is stayed because it mirrors the allegations of the first ITC complaint. The second one is progressing slowly.

HTC has been considered the most vulnerable Android manufacturer since they own the fewest patents. This is most likely the reason they agreed to buy S3 Graphics. It seems as though Apple infringed upon two S3 patents. I don’t have to tell you where this is headed. It amazes me that it has gotten this far in that companies now have to spend time and money buying other companies to fight off lawsuits.

I feel like continuing yesterday’s rant, but I will hold off as I am expecting there will be more opportunities. Will the 49th lawsuit come later today, tomorrow, or has it already happened?

[via fosspatents blog]

Smartphone legal battles are officially ridiculous, GetJar is the latest victim of Apple’s bullying [RANT]

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by Robert Nazarian on
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It seem as though the smartphone wars have become a mess of legal battles, rather than who offers the best products. Unfortunately the wallets of attorneys’ will get fatter, while innovation suffers.

The latest case involves GetJar. Apple already went after Amazon for the use of the term “App Store,” and although they did not lose, their motion for a preliminary injunction to bar Amazon from using the term “App Store” was denied. The case won’t be decided until late 2012. Now Apple has decided to go after GetJar for the same thing and they have given them a Cease & Desist notice for using the term “App Store.” GetJar started distributing apps in 2005, which is before Apple’s app store was in existence.

GetJar’s response is “We are not going to take it.” GetJar does not feel this is about Apple vs GetJar because they are not competitors with Apple. No one can compete on iOS as it is a closed ecosystem. They re-direct Apple users to Apple’s App Store as a courtesy for free with nothing asked in return. GetJar traffic comes mainly from Android users, which is a hundred times larger. GetJar feels that they don’t discriminate against Apple users, but Apple discriminates against them.

» Read the rest

Samsung sued again by Apple in South Korea for iPhone design copy

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by Jesse Bauer on
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applesamsung

Apple is at it again, with another lawsuit against Samsung for allegedly copying the iPhone’s design with some of their Galaxy S family of devices, this time the suit is made in South Korea. This comes after the heated stories a couple months back about Apple doing the same thing, and Samsung slapping them back with 10 patent infringements of their own.

Since April, Apple has been gathering more information and adding it to their claims that Samsung has copied more specifically, the 3rd gen iPhone in design with the Galaxy S, and added the Droid Charge, Infuse 4G, Nexus S 4G, Galaxy Tab 10.1, the Galaxy S II, and a fistful of other devices. This likely won’t amount to much, but you never know…Apple did just get awarded a touchscreen patent, so stranger things have happened.

[via engadget]

Google to Oracle: Android does not infringe on your copyrights

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by Tyler Cunningham on
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Another day, another chapter in the ongoing Oracle versus Google saga. A couple of weeks ago, we told you that Oracle had accused Google of blatantly taking their copyrighted Java code and placing it into Android’s source code. Well, Google is continuing to fight back, and has countered Oracle’s latest filing against them by both denying their claims, and arguing that they aren’t responsible even if evidence of infringement is found.

Google argues that any code that appears to be directly copied is so simplistic and should be permissible under the terms of fair use. They also claim that the patents at the heart of this whole issue are invalid, and that they don’t even apply to Android. » Read the rest

Gemalto files patent lawsuit against Google, Motorola, HTC and Samsung over Android

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by Tyler Cunningham on
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Earlier today, chipmaker Gemalto announced that they are filing a lawsuit against Google, Motorola, HTC, and Samsung over what they claim to be patent infringements found within Android.

The company, based in Amsterdam, claims that Android infringes “patented technologies in the open-source Android system and Dalvik operating environment” which date back to the early 1990s.  The move follows similar lawsuits brought against Google over Android by companies like Oracle and Apple.

Spokespeople from Google, Motorola, HTC and Samsung were not available for immediate comment, but perhaps statements will be made by these companies in the coming days. Stay tuned for more information on this story as it becomes available.

[via Reuters]

Microsoft files patent lawsuit against Motorola’s use of Android code

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by Steve Ginter on
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Looks like Microsoft is trying to clear the path for their upcoming Windows 7 Phone as they are going after Motorola’s DROID series of phones which, of course, run Google’s Android mobile operating system.  Some of the details in the lawsuit regard Motorola’s code implementation of synchronizing email, contacts, and calendars, including the way meetings are scheduled.  It also covers the way battery level and signal strength notify applications.

In Microsoft’s defense, Motorola did license some of their mobile technology from 2003 to 2007 and supposedly failed to renew the license, yet continued to use it.  Still, it is unfortunate that the big boys can’t share the space in the handset market.  Microsoft has already called out Android as not really being “free”, stating that there is a lot of toe-stepping on patent infringement with the open source operating system.

Such accusations hold merit as there is already a case of Apple vs. HTC regarding the “slide to unlock” feature.  It looks like future Android manufacturers will need to tread more carefully as the smartphone market gets more crowded.

See the full list of patents and read the full press release after the jump:

» Read the rest

Android is patent-infringing and not really free, according to Microsoft

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by Tyler Cunningham on
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Oh Microsoft, you so crazy.  Tivanka Ellawala, a Microsoft financial officer, recently spoke to MarketWatch regarding the “truth” about Android. Ellawala went on to say that, although the platform itself is free to manufacturers, it is full of spooky patent infringements that could bring about lawsuits and zombie attacks to manufacturers who choose to deploy it.

One recent lawsuit brought on by Apple against HTC does bring these points into question, and despite the outcome, it can be argued that using Android has cost HTC some coin in legal fees (although this dwarfs the revenue brought in by selling Android powered devices).

However, with Android blowing past Windows Mobile in the smartphone market share and showing no signs of slowing down, Microsoft better hope that Windows Phone 7 is up to the challenge, or they will just have to continue sitting on the sidelines and come up with more ways to complain about Android.

[via arstechnica]

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