Apple has been actively pursuing different tech giants over alleged patent infringements. Recently, it won a landmark victory against Samsung, bagging a smug $1 billion in damages. However, Apple may be in for a few defeats too. HTC has been pursuing a patent case against Apple over LTE technology and it seems that the judge is somewhat convinced by the former.
HTC has accused that Apple has infringed two of its patents in order to transmit large amounts of data securely over LTE. It’s important to notice that Samsung already owns some 10% of key LTE patents where HTC also has a few significant LTE-related patents to its name.
HTC was able to lay its hands on these patents by purchasing them off ADC Telecommunications for a whopping $75 million. If HTC’s allegations against Apple convince the court enough, this can lead to a ban on the new iPad which makes use of LTE.
Also, it will have other far-reaching consequences for Apple. For instance, if the company chooses to make use of LTE in its upcoming iPhone 5, HTC can seek an injunction to even have that banned. While addressing Apple personnel, Judge Thomas Pender said, ““I don’t care if they bought these patents to sue you or not. They are a property right.”
So far, the case has swayed considerably in favor of HTC. For instance, when Apple claimed that HTC didn’t have the rights to two former ADC patents, Pender dismissed the argument stating that these patents clearly were HTC’ property now. What remains to be seen is that after having established that, will it also be established that Apple has indeed infringed the patents.
Courtesy: Taipei Times
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