“Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless carrier, implores the United States District Court for the Northern District of California to deny Apple’s request for a US-wide preliminary injunction against four Samsung products (the Infuse 4G, Galaxy S 4G and Droid Charge smartphones, and the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer), arguing that such a decision would run counter to the public interest as it ‘would hinder Verizon Wireless in developing and deploying its next generation high-speed LTE [fourth-generation] network, the job growth dependant on that network, and will undercut key public policy goals, including expansion of American’s [sic] access to broadband networks and faster communication with emergency personnel,'” Florian Mueller reports for FOSS Patents.
“This attempt by Verizon to interfere with Apple’s enforcement of intellectual property rights against Android in general and Samsung in particular is a declaration of war that may have far-reaching consequences in the U.S. market,” Mueller reports. “I’m sure that Apple will view this move as a self-serving attempt to game the system in Android’s and Samsung’s favor, as another sign of Verizon being staunchly Android-aligned in exchange for market-distorting favors from Google, and as an attack on the intellectual property-centric business model of Apple and other innovators.”
Mueller reports, “Verizon, which recently proposed that President Barack Obama should exercise his presidential veto right against possible ITC import bans against Apple’s as well as Android-based devices, filed a motion for leave (a request for permission) to file an amicus curiae brief in support of Samsung ahead of a court hearing scheduled for October 13, after which there might be a preliminary injunction against four relatively new Android-based Samsung products. An amicus curiae brief is a way for third parties with an interest in the outcome of a lawsuit to present their views to the court. The judge will now have to decide whether Verizon is admitted as an amicus curiae, which literally means ‘friend of the court.'”
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Lowell, you got some ‘splainin’ to do!
Well, at least now I can sign in to the iTunes store after waiting all morning for some reason.
I thought I was gonna have to hire a lawyer and head down to Tyler to get in line…..
Dear Mr. Cook, fire Mr. Gore from the board (because it’s time, and you need to make a strong showing against any leakage early).
Take that message to Verizon and the industry that you’re no pushover; besides the fact that Jobs is still around.
Finally, Apple users worldwide, just boycott EVERYTHING Samsung; the rest (lawsuits, Google/Verizon sneaky plays, etc.) will follow. Vote with your wallets.
Apple may not win all the decency and innovation battles alone, but you can win them (and us) the war.
Cook doesn’t need your advice regarding board members. Furthermore, Cook is CEO and does not have control over the Board or Directors. Jobs is Chairman of the Board. Board members are elected by the company shareholders.
I agree that we should voted with our dollars. As a group, it is the strongest voice we have.
Tim Cook can’t fire Al Gore, as much as I’d like to see him do it. Boards fire CEOs, not the other way around. To get Al Gore off the board, they will have to have major shareholders vote against him at the next election of board seats…. these things rarely seem to happen. Alternatively, Jobs may be able to convince him to “resign” to “spend more time on global warming” or whatever….
Gore gave Apple some political leverage last decade…and Gore being on the board is just another politician on the take – “You got a nice computer company here, it would be really sad if something were to happen to it. I’ve got some friends back in washington, put me on the board and give me fat stock options and I could maybe help you out with washington.”
I pray that SJ reads this blog and is thereby able to craft strategy with the benefit of your perspective.
I was wrong, Mr. Cook can’t fire Mr. Gore; not sure what I was thinking. It might be well to see Mr. Gore gone though; having said that, maybe just by staying out of the way he does provide value.
I was also wrong about board member Andrea Jung; apparently Apple’s recent successful penetration in China (so far) underscores her value. I understand that was the justification of bringing her in at the time, and Apple is now poised to reap benefits.
Guess, Mr. Jobs and co. knew/know what they are doing, and Mr. Cook can disregard all my silly advice henceforth. 😮 )
How does having a Canadian-American, daughter of a concert pianist and MIT Professor, raised in Wellesley, MA, head of Avon Products, on the BoD of GE since 1998 and Apple since 2008 enable successful penetration of the Chinese market? Maybe just the funny sounding last name?
Gore is on the BoD of Apple because SJ understands the value of intelligent, passionate people who are committed to ideals and ideas beyond themselves and who have the capacity to think for themselves. He’s probably not going to start listening to the Rush Limbaugh echo chamber for advice.
“Maybe just the funny sounding last name?”
No.
Next time, when you make assumptions and start questioning others based on those assumptions, you might want to do a bit of research first on the subject. Here, let me help you get started:
“Why did Apple name Avon CEO Andrea Jung to Board of Directors?
Monday, January 7, 2008 · 4:47 pm · 42 Comments
“Avon Products CEO Andrea Jung will become Apple’s eighth member of its board of directors, the company announced Monday,” Tom Krazit blogs for CNET.
…
“She’s also fluent in Mandarin, and has helped turn Avon around in part by focusing on the growing market for consumer goods in China. That could help Apple refine its strategy for China.”
HTH.
I think I should respond to your second comment as well, though, at first, I wanted to just skip it.
“Gore is on the BoD of Apple because SJ understands the value of intelligent, passionate people who are committed to ideals and ideas beyond themselves and who have the capacity to think for themselves. He’s probably not going to start listening to the Rush Limbaugh echo chamber for advice.”
Mr. Gore, smart and passionate as he apparently is, shouldn’t have leaked the iPhone info before an official Apple announcement. I doubt it sends a very clear and inspiring message to the countless other Apple employed/related personnel around the globe, who are expected/required to proactively “not leak” unannounced information. When an esteemed board member casually/mistakenly leaks one out AND gets away with it, it makes future slip ups a more slippery business. Mr. Jobs had once commented precisely on that kind of slip ups as “ships leaking from the top,” when someone (at the D8 confs, I think) tried to get him to spill on upcoming product as scoops.
You were responding to me, so I think you were referring to me when you mentioned the “Rush Limbaugh echo chamber”.
I’m not perturbed by your opinions of me, but I thought I offered the following, should they clarify things for you in any way:
1. I don’t listen to Mr. Limbaugh.
2. I don’t currently subscribe to any American (or any other for that matter) political parties/ideologies.
3. I’m not an American (if you couldn’t already guess by now.)
4. From what little I know of Mr. Limbaugh, there are many things I don’t see eye to eye with him. However, I do highly appreciate his vocal support and positive contributions towards Apple and its community over the years.
If you have further questions, just ask. No need to make quick assumptions, particularly when they might whisk you away from the facts.
Thanks and cheers.
boycott EVERYTHING Samsung? Dude take a chill pill…
Just understand… The iPhone WILL BE on ALL U.S. Networks… VZ will lose its place (along with ATnT) in using the iPhone to snatch customers.
Sprint and T-Mobile will grab their customers right back…
In the END… Apple still wins… AND Oracle vs. Android has a much greater influence regarding what will happen to Goog/Android et al.
This will all work in the end… AND people ARE voting with their wallets… You will never turn Apple haters into users… let them be… their loss…
Why do you feel I need to take a chill pill? Was I yelling, screaming, or launching into a fist fight?
I took a stance on ethical grounds, and have voiced my opinion, which I believe I’m entitled to. It’s really a very civil protest. No one is being forced (hence you get to vote) into anything here. I’m merely requesting the like-minded people who are just as incensed by the conglomerate that is Samsung. In a way, this is irrespective of what Apple has to say on this matter. I have my own opinions.
You may have found a middle ground on ethics, I haven’t. I saw something blatantly wrong, and have decided to not support it. The same reason, I haven’t bought anything from MS for decades, switched my default search to Yahoo on my iDevices. I like to think, like so many others here, I lead a life mostly decent, and my sense of what is unjust and wrong, isn’t up for a compromise. I’m voting with my wallets.
Here’s a rational pill for you.
I just want to point out that Yahoo search uses MS.
Indeed, Yahoo actually leases the search listing tech from MS. Though, Yahoo has its own search technology, it costs more to run it; so instead they’re piggybacking on MS’s. It saves them money, and I have no beef with that. Also, over the recent years, Google has made me appreciate MS a bit more than I ever deemed possible. Case in point, MSs revised table vision with Windows 8. They have actually tried to innovate instead of blatantly copycatting.
Going back to search, on my MBP, my default search page is Startpage.com, which utlises Google engine, but doesn’t retain my IP info. I’m supporting Startpage and not Google directly. Unless/until I am made aware of any actual/perceived hypocrisy here, I’m good with this.
well there’s a surprise, siding with a company they have more leverage over and put their crap on.
As the say: “Follow the money”!
Google out right steals and this company runs over to them and asks where is their cut. Verizon is such a dirtbag and just straight out street walker.
Verizon, Red I’d for Blood.
Wow !!! This can’t believe Verizon is so stupid!!!!
Verizon may need to be careful here too. If they play the card too aggressively, and in matter where they are the 3rd party, they risk to piss off too many Apple users with brains and conscience. I have a feeling, AT&T will be more than happy to welcome back legions of future iPhone users who value scruples/integrity over most everything else (convenience, service/quality, price).
Unfortunately, I’m stuck with Verizon out here in the mountains. Only carrier that works reliably. I tried AT&T, but the coverage was spotty and weak, the customer service was a joke and the rates were appalling. Someday, I’d like to have them put a tower on my property. Then we’d see…
Over time, the situation will likely change. Perhaps Apple will help to roll out a new wireless communications system…
Verizon, with their plan pricing structures, moves toward greater monopoly, government manipulation through lobbying (etc), and now lack of regard for the intellectual property of one company (Apple) “for the good of the people” smacks of ever increasing corporate socialism. Verizon is clearly opposed to a traditional “free market” and seeks ever greater control over our nations cellular airwaves and how they are accessed and used.
Stepping in to a legal battle over the theft of intellectual property on the side of the alleged thief to argue “for the greater good” and as a supposed “friend of the court” would seem to be a clear attempt to manipulate and weaken our justice system. It will be very telling to watch for the outcome and see if the court allows this to go on.
In the end, Verizon is just looking out for themselves. This crap happens all of the time – nothing new.
The term “socialism” is overused and, generally, misapplied. Verizon’s actions are in no way related to socialism. from the Apple dictionary app:
socialism |ˈsō sh əˌlizəm|
noun
a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
The *last thing* that Verizon wants is for the means of production, distribution, and exchange to be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
In that dictionary definition, replace “community” with “corporation(s)” and you may get the gist of the meaning of “corporate socialism”. I would argue that this is exactly the model that many corporations are knowingly, or unknowingly, working toward. I agree that the corporations are most definitely NOT in favor of traditional socialism.
If you substitute the words a definition, you are defining a different word. The word you now define is Fascism, where the companies own the government. The attempt to wrongly use the term socialism is an attempt to use a knee jerk response (to “socialism”) to mask the true malfeasance and corruption that corporate money has brought to American politics.
Right. The essence of “socialism” (truly an over-used word that has been perverted by the rich and powerful to justify their grab-all-the-money-and run policies) is that the society takes care of the basic needs of its citizens. The term “corporate socialism” is an obscenity of the first order, describing as it does a system in which the society takes care of its corporations while hanging its citizens out to dry. This is most definitely the system we have here in the U.S.—proto-fascism at its finest. Anyone who thinks American corporations don’t own the gov’t is dreaming.
Verizon is a member of an oligopoly.
Per Wikipedia:
But hey, as every ATT bad mouther poster touted, “It’s the network!!!” So Verizon’s alignment with Samsung and Android MUST be overlooked for the right to not have a call dropped in NY city or San Francisco! Right?!
Verizon is just looking out for it’s own good. The last thing Verizon wants is Android devices being banned from import. That leaves Verizon with the iPhone and two smartphones that no one buys: Blackberry and Windows Phone 7.
Suddenly Apple has much more power and leverage over Verizon, from setting higher subsidy pricing to demanding they let features like FaceTime and other services use the cell network rather than be limited to WiFi.
So Verizon needs multiple players who can fight between themselves rather than be able to control the carriers.
To draw a completely dismissible simile here:
it’s like a jail authority asking the crime fighting units (in tandem with the lawmakers) to help foster a “crime pays eventually” environment, so that the prisons (along with the police force, criminal courts etc.) may stay in business. Thousands of jobs saved that way, empowering the community with cheap license plates.
Apple ought to call out Verizon as an accomplice in the selling of stolen goods. I am with ATT, but now out of contract. I WAS going to take a look at switching to Verizon when the new iPhones arrived. Not now. Verizon’s reasoning is all about the success of Verizon; regardless of how many crimes are perpetrated. Verizon has proven itself unscrupulous beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Let me tell you about Verizon’s “scruples” Two years, three months and 5 days before iPhone came out I joined Verizon. I signed a two year agreement. When my agreement was up, I did not sign another one, nor did I at any point call and sign up for a new one. I was waiting for a new phone that looked interesting, I was using a treo 650 at the time. (it sucked for MOST things) I did not want a blackberry, and was content to continue paying my bill and figured I would get a new phone when one compelled me, or mine died.
Then came iPhone, I immediately pre-ordered one. The day it arrived, I called Verizon to cancel my service. The person on the phone told me I would be subject to an early termination fee. I told her that wasn’t possible, as I was well past my two year “obligation” and that in no way would I pay them the outrageous fee. I was informed that I signed a new contract, I assured her that I had all of my bills, paperwork and copy of my original contract and at no time did I sign another contract, and demanded that they immediately fax me a signed copy of said contract. I was put on hold for 10 minutes, a supervisor gets on the line and asks to help with my “problem” (my voice was getting louder, I must admit) I told her the problem was theirs and that I was being charged fraudulently and would not accept it. I again ask for the signed contract to be faxed to me supporting their claim. This person then informs me that I “consented” to it over the phone and that it was a valid contract. I pressed further, I asked for a copy of the recorded conversation (after all they say the calls are recorded for “quality control”) and was given a number to call for customer relations. I told her to get fscked and hung up. After repeated attempts to find a sentient human at this customer relations number. (leave a message we’ll get back to you deal) I just gave up. They billed me for months, I would copy the bill and send it back with a letter detailing my displeasure at their fraud. After about a year I started receiving letters form a collection agency, then a second, and a third. I sent all three a letter disputing the collection. I then started receiving calls in addition to the notices in the mail. I explained to at least 3 or four people at each of those agencies that I was disputing the claim. They no longer call or write, but they did all three put it on my credit report and I am having a devil of a time removing it. I’ll be damned if I will ever pay it, nor use their service again.
Verizon is scum of the friggin earth if you ask me. Clearly they have paid more to these goons than the few hundred they wanted outta me, how many more have they done it to?
Hey Verizon can you say MVNO?
Oh and by the way your market cap is only 100 billion. You do realize Apple has nearly that much money in cash right? Do you really want to piss AAPL off?
I don’t think it’s about who has the bigger..er.. market valuation (or even cash horde). Apple can’t possibly purchase their way out of all thieves infringing on their innovation. No one can.
The point is, necessarily therefore, an honest and proud institution doesn’t have to, theoretically at least.
We as consumers of good taste and conscience can ensure that reality; and as Apple fans, we have been empowering a genuinely innovative and honest institution. Cheers to us.
Here’s the real question, does anyone actually believe Verizon is going to stop investing in LTE infrastructure if Samsung loses? If so, your extremely naive at best. LTE is going to be Verizon’s future network, I am sure other companies (including Apple) will be bringing LTE phones to market, there their argument is bunk anyway!
“You’re.”
There should be a mandatory class on this subject- “your” vs. “you’re,” “its” vs. “it’s.”
Third grade grammar. And the whole country (not just the Tea Party) can’t get it right.
Sorry- pet peeve. And Verizon sucks.
As a German court has observed, there are other ways to make a mobile phone.
I doubt that Verizon will be given leave to file.
I’ve started a company called Verizons that compeats against ATT, Verizon, and others. All my telecommunication devices are made in Russia and can be bought at a very nice price. Most of the products remind people of other more well known products such as Samsungs line up, but you will really like ours as we poured hundreds of hours into development and Art. We do NOT want the USA to ban our products from being imported into the USA as it will interrupt our customers use of the items and will also hamper future development of our next phone called the lphone (that’s “L Phone” for those of you who think it resembles another brand.)
If the USA bans our products, we would have to pour hundreds of dollars into a new idea which could cost our American her job. We do not need to worry about competition, they should worry about us! We have the advantage now.
A decision to ban our products from entering the USA would case great harm. I emplore other companies who also purchase pirated items to stand up for your rights! Don’t let details get in the way of success!!!!
(please replace the “p” word above with “contractual”. My delete key isn’t working ATM. I’ll update it on the next version coming out in late October 2011)
Thank you.
Many incredulous sources here. Feee Fiiiii Fooo fum, I thinks I smell the employees of Apple.
Apple is no inovator as this bias article claims. Apple is a collector of technology. Apple’s philosophies are anti free commerce. If Apple gets its waymconsumers will be hurt in terms of their wallet and innovations.
Speak with your wallet? LOL. Bunch of obvious corporate bloggers here. If the real people were to speak, they would go with as much open source and market co petition as possible. Which is NOT Apple. Android and third party manufacturers.
I think you just woke up yesterday.
Instead of arguing with you, look at the state of smart phones before the iPhone and look at them now. Where was the innovation before Apple? Same as the iPad. Web OSes, and all the cool things Apple brought to this world. Very likely, you are using a device, even if not an Apple device, has direct Apple inspiration on it.
Apple’s fight with Samsung and others is over COPYING not innovation. If Samsung would have used any sense of innovation, their products wouldn’t be sad, shameful replicas of Apple products.
Hope you become more educated with this. Glad I made your day.
Stronger anti-piracy laws counter the public interest, but we’re still implementing those.