This could be big – Apple just sued HTC for patent infringement on 20 different patents related to the iPhone’s User Interface. I’m guessing the bulk of those accusations are regarding HTC Sense elements and specific functionality like, perhaps… pinch-to-zoom. Here is the press release from Apple: Apple Sues HTC for Patent Infringement CUPERTINO, California—March 2, 2010—Apple® [...]
Drat. Well, I guess this was expected. Jobs has appeared grumpy lately in the press as Android has been gaining traction and besting the iPhone in key ways. I am interested to learn what the 20 items are. Pinch zoom is in use by multiple vendors at this point and I've never understood the attempt to patent basic interface elements. It's a modern version of a keyboard or mouse for crying out loud...
I used to like Apple, would have even gotten an iPhone if AT&T wasn't so expensive on thier plans. If they are sueing for exclusivity of pinch zoom, I will lose a lot of respect for them.
The timing is interesting, just as the Desire and Incredible are getting ready to launch in the US. My opinion is Apple is starting to get skurred, both these phones will give the iPhone a run, as well as any HTC phone coming out at a later date.
if they are suing because of pinch and zoom then i say take it out. never owned an iphone or itouch so i never used that feature. i don't use it now even though it is available.
go Droid!
Thank god that I live in the UK, but does that mean that the US can't get the new phones until the 15 months are up and they have decided?
nah......even if apple were to win and get everything they ever wanted and asked for, you cant stop others from 'infringing' until a ruling is made, so companies will continue to rake in the big bucks and pay apple a settlement and you will wake up one day and your pinch and zoom feature will be gone and everyone keeps moving forward, while everyone whines about their bottom line profits for about 6 months and then it gets reported that everyone involved has turned record profit and this thread just becomes wasted space on someones server.
With 20 different patents it's more than just pinch zoom. I suspect it will be a number of basic interface items. It's hard to imagine 20 patents dealing with the interface alone and not involving the Android OS.
HTC has been making successful "smartphones" much longer than Apple. It makes me wonder what patent infringements they could hit Apple with. You can check out some of the HTC history at: History of HTC (Phone Arena News)
C'mon we all saw this coming. HTC was going down from the start. So many of their Sense elements are BLATANT rip-offs of Apple UI/UX. IMO, it's a good move for Apple and hopefully will drive innovation. However, I don't know what this will mean with regards to MT/P2Z for Android. Just when it was about to get good, I think Apple will end up lowering the hammer on Google after they can set a precedence with HTC. Go after the small guy, win that case, then go after Google.
if they are suing because of pinch and zoom then i say take it out. never owned an iphone or itouch so i never used that feature. i don't use it now even though it is available.
go Droid!
I believe it's beyond P2Z. If you read the patent material for their multi-touch interface, it's not so much patent on the ability to use multiple input touches, or even moving items around on a computer. It applies to mobile devices and incorporates P2Z, but also swiping to advance in the gallery. Stuff like that. I think Google understood this so that the gallery in 2.1 isn't even a Google-made app... It was developed by CoolIris.
The things they listed are just ridiculous. Maybe someone should sue Apple for using the feature of "clicking" on an icon to open an application... that's been around for ages.
Last edited by DDustiNN; March 2nd, 2010 at 10:42 AM.
The '949 Patent, entitled "Touch Screen Device, Method, And Graphical User Interface For Determining Commands By Applying Heuristics," was duly and legally issued on January 20, 2009 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A copy of the '949 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
I just read through the 40-page suit and wow, Apple has patent a lot of tech that seems to mundane and natural for mobile device UI, down to the slide to unlock and how apps communicate with other apps. As I see it, Google will eventually be implicated. But HTC is the current Google money maker, having more Android devices than anyone.
Apples ridiculous i've never had respect for them besides their computers. They have enough money why they got to try and get more just cause Android is climbing to the top?
I am glad to see HTC IS going to fight back. From HTC:
Quote:
“HTC is a mobile technology innovator and patent holder that has been very focused over the past 13 years on creating many of the most innovative smartphones. HTC values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations. HTC only learned of Apple’s actions this morning via media reports, and therefore we have not yet had the opportunity to investigate the filings. Until we have had this opportunity, we are unable to comment on the validity of the claims being made against HTC.”
The things they listed are just ridiculous. Maybe someone should sue Apple for using the feature of "clicking" on an icon to open an application... that's been around for ages.
Well, that's what Nokia is doing. Not for clicking, but other phone technology IP they've infringed upon. I think Apple is doing this because they know Nokia will win. Nokia is suing Apple based on a precedent that ended favorably for Nokia. I think you'll see HTC being allowed to continue to use the tech, so long as they pay Apple. Or, Apple could kill HTC all together.
Really, the only other company that has anything on Apple is Palm.
Apple is going after Android. They mention the Nexus One which doesn't have Sense UI. So I say **** Apple and will love seeing HTC and Google kick Steve Jobs's ass.
Apple is going after Android. They mention the Nexus One which doesn't have Sense UI. So I say **** Apple and will love seeing HTC and Google kick Steve Jobs's ass.
Actually, the Nexus One I think was brought into demonstrate its violation of multi-touch, pinch-zoom, particularly in the Gallery Application. But that app was developed by CoolIris, not Google. So, it would just mean that Google needs to remove that application from Android 2.1.
Actually, the Nexus One I think was brought into demonstrate its violation of multi-touch, pinch-zoom, particularly in the Gallery Application. But that app was developed by CoolIris, not Google. So, it would just mean that Google needs to remove that application from Android 2.1.
What about maps and the browser? Google will eventually be bought into this as they are responsible for those two apps.
The Nexus One is even branded as a Google handset and was jointly developed by them, yet Google haven't been touched so far.
__________________ Android Devices: Motorola Xoom Wifi | Nexus S | ZTE Blade | Samsung Galaxy-S (The wife has that one!) Twitter:ChazClout
According to Engadget, the lawsuit doesn't include multi-touch. The patent that included heuristics was actually amended upon approval which doesn't include multi-touch pinch. Specifically, it's how a touch device scrolls (see Engadget for videos). Apple is going after Android through HTC. This will be an interesting battle and I wonder if Google will join this battle.
The ‘849 Patent, entitled "Unlocking A Device By Performing Gestures On An Unlock Image," was duly and legally issued on February 2, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A copy of the ‘849 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
I've got a gesture for you Stevie... Get a fuggin' life!
I have a felling that this is going to prove a bad move by Apple, I think it's likely that Apple going on this spree of patent lawsuits is going to lead to some serious patent reform. It's obvious that patent law needs some serious modifications to cope with new technology, and I think Apple has no right to many of its patents. How can you patent gestures and such that are so 'common sense' in their nature? I understand patenting the code for many of those elements but they have attempted to patent the general idea in many cases. This is all besides the point, as I'm sure HTC will have a strong counter suit as they have been in the business much longer and chances are Apple has infringed on several of HTC's patents.
Apple is creating a sea of enemies in the business world and are hurting the consumer at the same time, I'm waiting to see how this hurts them as a company.
As this is an extremely hot topic generating lots of posts, can all further responses be posted in The Lounge thread here, please?
Merging three threads is impractical as the replies will no longer make sense, but maintaining all three will be even more confusing. Thanks for your co-operation.
Apple Sues HTC For Patent Infringement
