“For two years, Apple Inc. has told the world that phones running on Google Inc.’s Android operating system are iPhone rip-offs,” Susan Decker reports for Bloomberg. “Now Apple is about to learn whether a U.S. trade agency thinks its claims have merit.”
“The International Trade Commission is set to rule Dec. 14 in a patent complaint lodged by Apple against rival smartphone maker HTC Corp,” Decker reports. “The decision, postponed from the original date of tomorrow, would mark the first final verdict from any judicial entity in Apple’s global patent war against HTC and fellow Android-phone makers Samsung Electronics Co. and Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc.”
Decker reports, “A ruling for Apple may lead to a ban on U.S. imports of HTC devices, derailing the Taoyuan, Taiwan-based company’s trajectory from a small contract manufacturer founded in 1997 to the biggest U.S. smartphone seller in the third quarter. A victory for HTC may help it secure favorable terms in any settlement with Apple… There’s no guarantee that the commission will ban the HTC phones should it find that HTC violated Apple’s patents.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Edward Weber” for the heads up.]
Come on ITC, protect one of the last US companies that actually innovates and brings in money. Don’t let Apple be continually ripped off.
I will be very surprised if ITC will have proper decision.
Google could have bribed the ITC to turn down Apple’s claim. Google’s political lobbying is a huge contributor to the degradation of sane decisions taken by politicians and regulatory agencies.
Bingo
If Apple loses this…the floodgates of rip off companies lead by Google will flood the market. This will hurt Apple badly!
“Led.”
Yes, is there no such thing as right and wrong? To innovate and to steal- especially without innovating? I don’t want an ounce of oregano, I want what I paid for (uh, catnip for my cat), and there is a difference. And if I and my cat are too stupid to know the difference, it still doesn’t make it right.
“Zeppelin.”
Thanks, “Led”. 😉
Huh? “Hurt Apple badly” are you kidding? Apple already can’t make enough products to satisfy demand. Even as Android has risen to overtake Apple in phone sales, Apple profits have been through the roof. So while it would be just for Apple to win the suit, I highly doubt a loss would hurt them badly.
You must not own any AAPL.
I am concerned that nothing will come of this because the The International Trade Commission won’t have the balls for fear of starting an ‘isolationist’ trade war.
The copying is blatant for anyone with half a brain but enforcement will be ineffectual. This will send out the wrong message to everyone…ripping off people is ok. Why innovate when someone else will do it and you can pounce on it afterwards. Innovation will take a serious hit.
Damn I hope I am wrong.
I couldn’t agree more with you.
Is there ANY Juistice or Rights in this country anymore?
I’m just dumbfounded and flummoxed about our system.