patents - Android Community

Tagged: patents

Apple loses final Australia appeal, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is ready for a retail return

By Michael Crider
on 8 Dec, 2011

Early news out of Australia indicates that Apple has lost its appeal of a decision made in an Australian federal court, dismissing their patent case against Samsung and its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet. AusDroid reports that the decision came early Friday morning. The two companies have been locked in a legal battle for months, culminating in a rejection by an Australian Federal court after a long period of injunction against Samsung. The High Court denied the appeal, meaning that there is basically no way for them to continue with the case on its current merits.

US judge denies Apple injunction – Samsung sales are safe for now

By Michael Crider
on 3 Dec, 2011

It's a good evening for Truth, Justice and the American Way, even if those on the receiving end are Korean. Reuters reports that late Friday the judge on the docket in Apple's suit against Samsung in the United States threw out the case, stating that an injunction on Samsung's devices would not prevent serious damage to Apple's sales. It's the most significant development yet in a case that's been going on since April of this year.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1N still under attack by Apple

By Cory Gunther
on 29 Nov, 2011

Uh oh folks, it looks like Apple isn't ready to stop just yet and apparently the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1N that Samsung released in Germany specifically to avoid Apple's lawsuits didn't manage to escape. Samsung has been under some heavy attack in Germany, Australia and other parts of the world for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 because Apple claims it infringes on their patents and design. Today Apple seeks another injunction on the new Tab 10.1N and a court date has been set.

HTC to “focus on the product” after shaky earnings forecast

By Michael Crider
on 28 Nov, 2011

Despite positive profits and some monster growth, especially in the US market, HTC is in hot water with their shareholders. The Taiwanese smartphone maker had to reduce its fourth quarter outlook from flat growth to negative last week, after a prospective patent purchase fell through when the company lost its suit against Apple. A beat-down from German courts over yet another patent case didn't help. CFO Winston Yung placated investors in an interview with Reuters, hyping up a focus on high-end products in the upcoming year.

HTC may be forced to exit German market in the wake of IPCom patent case

By Michael Crider
on 25 Nov, 2011

Further supporting the Android Community amateur legal opinion that German courts are full of dunkoffs, IPCom's patent injunction against HTC has been held up in that country. The initial ruling was made two years ago, with HTC almost immediately appealing. Now the original ruling has been upheld, and HTC will be forced to either capitulate to IPCom's demands (read: pony up the cash) or halt sales in Germany.

Google lawyer says Microsoft sues because Windows Phone 7 is failing

By Michael Crider
on 7 Nov, 2011

The war of words between Google and Microsoft has reached into the media once again, as SFGate has interviewed Google's patent lawyer Tim Porter. Refuting the claims made by his Redmond counterpart in an earlier interview, Porter said that Microsoft is attacking Android because they feel their own product (Windows Phone 7) is marginalized and threatened. He said that while the meteoric rise of Android hasn't been halted by Microsoft's tactics, companies that have to worry about patent litigation can't focus on innovation.

Apple loses tablet patent lawsuit in Spain

By Michael Crider
on 2 Nov, 2011

La vaca santa! After winning injunctions against Samsung and its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany and Australia, not to mention other various lawsuits around the world, a tiny Android tablet maker from Spain has successfully defended itself in a criminal patent suit. NK-T, makers of cheap Android tablets for their regional market, found themselves labelled as pirates and criminals when Apple filed an complaint against them in November, 2010. The court found NK-T innocent of criminal charges today.

Microsoft’s lawyer says “Android stands on our shoulders”

By Michael Crider
on 31 Oct, 2011

Microsoft has a keen interested in Android despite selling its own mobile operating system - an interest that's vetted to the tune of more than $400 million a year in kickbacks from 53% of Android devices sold. Now Microsoft's deputy patent troll intellectual property counsel says that Google has built its OS on the back of technology developed (and owned) by the Redmond software giant. Microsoft is only one of many companies gunning for Android manufacturers, but tellingly, not targeting Google itself.

More trouble for Android, Apple granted Slide to Unlock patent

By Cory Gunther
on 25 Oct, 2011

Today we have more news regarding some of those Apple patents. This morning after being filed way back in December of 2005, The US Patent & Trademark Office issued a patent grant to Apple regarding their familiar Slide to Unlock gesture. This has actually been officially granted to Apple, no longer is this pending, the deed is done.

Aussie retailers skirt Apple injunction to sell Galaxy Tab 10.1

By Michael Crider
on 24 Oct, 2011

Apple won a major victory in its "thermonuclear war" with Android in Australia, where the civil court upheld a sales injunction against Samsung's Galaxy Tab based on Apple's practical and design patents. But the courts are no obstacle for the determined, and a collection of crafty online retailers are still selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 down under. Like Prohibition smugglers they get their stock from outside the continent and sell the tablets as import items, exploiting a loophole in Australian law.