The details aren't disclosed but HTC was suing Apple over patents acquired from Google.
Hopefully, this is just a cross-licensing deal and Apple will finally begin to stop patent trolling.
Thanks for the additional information. The article didn't really go into the countersuit, so I was worried that HTC just caved and decided to pay Apple a fee per device or something.Apple started this with their patent trolling.
They've gotten an edict on US HTC phones for a fight they started in 2010 over a patent that is prior art for Microsoft and against whom they've taken no action, and for very good reason.
It's a feature that you'll find alive and well on your Gmail app but now can't find in HTC Mail. And in two and a half years, they've not lifted a finger against Google on this either.
HTC retaliated with Google's help because they had no other choice.
Sorry compadre, but I hate the memes going around about this.
When Android was the underdog and Apple started patent trolling, this forum was filled with oh noes, HTC stole.
When the countersuits started the rhetoric changed to why can't we all get along.
There is no getting along with a bully. They brought this fight, they refused to settle prior to the countersuit defense. And as a Taiwanese company, HTC found no relief in our justice.
So I cannot buy that maybe they both learned the same lesson.
HTC learned what we all know. You smack a bully back hard enough and he'll want peace.
Thanks for the additional information. The article didn't really go into the countersuit, so I was worried that HTC just caved and decided to pay Apple a fee per device or something.
Yeah, sometimes you have to take the best deal you can get, but I dread the day that Apple gets paid for every Android phone (and tablet) sold.If they did, that would have been fair enough. Some days you get the bear, some days the bear gets you.
Apple refused licensing offers before this.
I pay a part of my phone purchases to Microsoft for their licensing deal. That's the way it goes.
But until now, Apple fans have gone viral over what HTC stole, regardless of the facts, and it's hurt HTC's reputation.
I really hope that Apple's willingness to bargain marks the end of this nonsense in court.
The way I see it, this signifies one of two things... Apple is no longer worried about HTC's competition, and is settling so they can focus on the one manufacturer who is truly threatening them, or there is finally a realization from Apple that this massive litigation streak in the mobile industry is not going anywhere, and is only taking money away from development... I soooo hope its option 2...
Option 3, they could have been facing the possibility that their products would have to be changed or made not for sale here, causing investor panic, like they kindly did for HTC.
Very true, I guess I am just too cynical to think Apple would ever lose that significantly.
For which they were very firmly slapped down.Apple touted that the German and US courts sided with them when forced to apologize by the UK courts.
Estimate of 180 to 280 by undisclosed sources who can't verify if that's the difference after Apple pays HTC or if that money will turn around on the books and go out to HTC.
Pardon my cynicism, but this comes from the blogosphere and the source being quoted hands out investment advice.
Let's imagine the following headline -
Analyst Can't Figure Out What To Tell Investors He Advised To Buy Apple On His Previous Report Stating That Apple Would Win Every Case
Yeah.
Even if HTC decided to pay, nothing to see here.
That is an outrageous amount of money if true. That's what I was scared of. No wonder Apple called off the dogs for that kind of money. Apple hasn't come to their senses about the lawsuits, that is a flat-out surrender by HTC, and sets a precedent for every Android manufacturer to end up with a similar deal. So that reveals Apples strategy; get paid no matter what phone you buy, and they don't have to worry about any pesky judge or jury going off script. I for one don't see this as good news. I know that HTC doesn't have the deep pockets to fight in court forever like Apple does, but Google should have helped out more.Some details are coming out. Apparently, HTC is paying Apple $6-$8 per phone sold.
HTC likely paying Apple between $6 and $8 per phone sold | MobileSyrup.com
Apple only wants to pay a measly $1 per phone. I find myself hating them more and more. Irrational, I know, but I can't help it.Yet Apple is trying to lower cost on Motorola patents per phone
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