Previously, “I explained why Apple won’t just settle for money like most other patent holders do),” Florian Mueller reports for FOSS Patents. “I consistently pointed out that HTC’s best chance to force Apple into at least a partial cross-license would probably be S3 Graphics’ assertions against Apple. HTC is in the process of acquiring S3 for approximately $300 million.”
“Over the last couple of days, some additional information concerning the ITC investigation of S3’s complaint against Apple (investigation no. 337-TA-724) became available,” Mueller reports. “Based on this new information, it seems increasingly unlikely to me that HTC can get much leverage out of that process.”
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Mueller reports, “It looks like HTC is going to have to use some other patents than the four at issue in that proceeding in order to put Apple under serious pressure. Right now it seems that the validity of those four S3 patents is uncertain, and even the worst-case scenario for Apple may just come down to a need to equip its Macintosh computers with NVIDIA chips. The iPhone, iPad and iPod product lines aren’t even affected at all. Against that background, Apple can apparently keep pursuing its multiple lawsuits against HTC.”
Much more in the full article – recommended – here.
Related articles:
U.S. ITC says Apple’s Mac OS X violates S3 patents bought by HTC; clears iOS devices – July 26, 2011
HTC willing to negotiate with Apple over patents – July 26, 2011