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HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

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31–40 of 46 posts

Re: HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

#31
post #7

On the one hand, I'm pretty sick of this nonsense. On the other hand, it might be in everyone's best interest if HTC succeeds here. If millions of fanboys are denied their shiny new iPhones and Apple, which is rather well connected in Washington, finally winds up losing money due to the patent system, maybe we'll finally seem some progress towards reform.

> If millions of fanboys are denied their shiny new iPhones

Quite condescending.

Re: HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

#33
Do you really think that Apple wont settle if they don't think they will win? I'm pretty sure whatever patents HTC has can't be worth a mere drop of iPhone sales profit.

Apple are more likely to buy HTC outright for the patents in question than not sell the iPhone.

Re: HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

#34
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but Apple being sued over patents is OK, it's only when they sue somebody else that there's a problem. It's just like with Chinese labour. Everyone else uses them, but Apple using them is wrong, even if they pay more than everyone else and the workers prefer to work in the Apple device factories. Didn't you get the memo?

The problem is that Apple was the one who started using patents offensively, as far as I know.

Sorry, but that'd be Nokia and Motorola.

Re: HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is no Android vs iPhone here. At worst for Apple, they let HTC off the hook and continue against others, for as long as they can.

It doesn't sound like there could be any "let HTC off the hook". The whole point of this is that HTC is seeking an injunction against Apple. Even if Apple withdrew all complaints, HTC could still seek that injunction.

Apple won round one and really screwed HTC http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/20/us-htc-apple-paten... . It's not in HTC's interest to pick a fight will mighty Apple at all, so the best scenario for HTC would a deal with Apple. Apple can sue them again and again and again for patent after patent. Even the legal fees will be felt by HTC

Remember: HTC's loyalties are with their shareholders, not to fight a war against Apple on behalf of Google or Android fans. If their board determined that selling bottled water was better than making phones, they have a duty to pivot. Google (Motorola) is different, they have a much larger stake in Android.

Re: HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

#36
post #7

On the one hand, I'm pretty sick of this nonsense. On the other hand, it might be in everyone's best interest if HTC succeeds here. If millions of fanboys are denied their shiny new iPhones and Apple, which is rather well connected in Washington, finally winds up losing money due to the patent system, maybe we'll finally seem some progress towards reform.

I really like how you sickness on the subject leads to the most passive-aggressive and condescending statement in just one sentence. I'd love to see the patent system changed but I think it's about time we stop thinking Apple customers are fanboys (and that there are "millions" of them) or that everyone else's are not.

Regarding Washington, last time I check Apple was not even close to be the company that invest more money in lobbying. I don't know what is your base for "rather well connected" but if you have any evidence on this, it will be great to know.

Re: HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

#37
post #23

“I don’t care if they bought these patents to sue you or not,” Pender told McKeon. “They are a property right.” Surely he should care if people are purchasing patents purely for litigation. There are not many other items that you can legally purchase for the sole purpose of using the courts to stop someone from doing something that would otherwise be perfectly legal.

But it's not perfectly legal if the patent is valid. The infringement would just be against the original company if said company hadn't been bought. Or are you suggesting that when a company is acquired all it's patents should become null and void?

Re: HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

#38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me, it's been fascinating to see what huge companies that are flush with more cash than ever before [1] will do with that cash during a prolonged recession. The most common argument for continuing to lower taxes on businesses is that it will stimulate the economy because the businesses will spend the money on their employees. It looks like what actually happens is that they spend the money waging legal wars again…

Legal wars tend to be expensive because they involve spending a lot of money on employees, though.

On lawyers and other non-productive employees though, not in a way that would grow the economy. That's a huge broken window fallacy.

Re: HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me, it's been fascinating to see what huge companies that are flush with more cash than ever before [1] will do with that cash during a prolonged recession. The most common argument for continuing to lower taxes on businesses is that it will stimulate the economy because the businesses will spend the money on their employees. It looks like what actually happens is that they spend the money waging legal wars again…

Legal wars tend to be expensive because they involve spending a lot of money on employees, though.

Well, law firms and court employees, at least.

Re: HTC's patents could lead to an ban on the next iPhone & iPad

#40
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is that Apple was the one who started using patents offensively, as far as I know.

Sorry, but that'd be Nokia and Motorola.

A timeline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone_wars
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