Another bizarro big patent lawsuit gem:

a.) Apple is suing HTC for how HTC phones shut off the touchscreen when user holds it close to ear (proximity sensors, etc. patent 7,633,076).

b.) Meanwhile Apple itself is being sued for exactly same thing by Nokia (patent 6,518,957).

So will apple also sue nokia for;

1. Swipe to unlock
2. Bouncing of the browser when you reach the end of scrolling

In the first place i would like nokia not to copy such stupid trivial stuff. I never used the swipe to unlock. The hardware switch or the opening of the keyboard are way easier.

2. is allready part of Apple's countersue claims in the Delaware case (not mentioned in the ITC case).

“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, Apple’s CEO. “We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours.”


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU

well, let's not go there. thank goodness google has always embraced a neutral network.

imagine google had a spat with your isp, etc. let's not retribute with the publics pipes.

I just want to point out that long time Apple watchers would note that Apple used to be very sangiune about it's developments. This far more aggressive Apple was birthed by the advent of Windows 95 and the lawsuits that followed (and preceeded it). I believe that Apple came to the conclusion that a lot of it's work could and would be copied by competitors as MS did if it did not play the patent game.

I have noticed over the years that Apple has been patenting the hell out of things (it could also be that the internet is making such things more transparent) but I don't blame them given the lawsuits that have been sent their way by patent trolls.

I especially like #7,007,239, "Method and apparatus for accessing a contacts database and telephone services". It is essentially the 12 button (0-9, # and *) phone keypad!



http://www.google.com/patents?id=yZN...J&dq=7,007,239

seriously...

That's some "clever" there, putting access icons in the lower left on the same screen as the call button.

*cough*

Proof positive that the USPTO needs reform.

I wonder if HTC has enough IP to countersue. Some of those Apple patents are older HTC corporation, and during most of it's existence HTC has been merely OEM that built stuff for other corporations.

we shall see. Hopefully HTC wins or i can only think at the end they will shake hand and both of them can use each other patents.

Well regardless, still no apple product for me.