Android Patent Wars Weekly Recap: Oct 3 to 7
Archive note. This story reflects what was known when it was first covered. Prices, availability and carrier offers are historical. For the current picture, start with the topic guides.
Apple and Samsung
Samsung reportedly approached Apple in Australia to find a way out of the dispute and cut legal costs, but Apple rejected the offer. The terms were not known. Samsung also moved to ban the iPhone 4S in Italy and France.
Patent claims from other directions
- Innovatio went after businesses that offer wifi, such as a coffee chain and hotels, and also Motorola and Cisco.
- Intellectual Ventures sued Motorola over 6 patents from a portfolio of about 35,000, which it had only recently acquired.
Canadian copyright changes
Proposed Canadian copyright law would give legal protection to digital locks. The writer worried it might help carriers lock phones further.
Oracle v. Google
The suit was postponed. The post noted that Google’s recently announced Dart language could help it avoid similar Java related disputes later.
Google defends HTC
Google told a US trade panel that removing a fast moving competitor like HTC could raise prices and reduce innovation. It did not claim HTC was free of infringement.
Frequently asked questions
What is a patent troll?
It is a company that makes money by asserting patents without making products itself.
Why did the writer raise Canadian copyright law?
Digital lock protections might affect phone unlocking.
Did Google say HTC was innocent?
No. Google only argued the consequences of a ban would be harmful.