patents - Android Community

Tagged: patents

Samsung: Galaxy Nexus was designed to avoid Apple’s lawyers

By Cory Gunther
on 19 Oct, 2011

Now that the Galaxy Nexus has finally been unveiled to the world, Samsung has admitted that the device was specifically designed with the thought of bypassing Apple patents to help avoid those lawyers we've seen so much from as of late. Talking to Yonhap News, mobile president Shin Jong-kyun mentioned the company “will avoid everything we can” and that they “take patents very seriously” and that obviously given the complexity of those situations nothing is certain.

ITC sides with Apple over HTC in latest patent case

By Michael Crider
on 17 Oct, 2011

Android can't catch a break when it comes to patents. After enduring a few months of Apple's legislative offensive in 2010, HTC acquired some mobile patents and decided to try a few volleys in the other direction. The first of those has been rejected by the International Trade Commission, which ruled today that the patents in question were not violated.

Motorola shareholders will vote on Google acquisition on November 17th

By Michael Crider
on 14 Oct, 2011

Google made waves in the tech world when it announced its intention to buy Motorola Mobility outright back in August. The $12.5 billion deal would stabilize the cell phone icon, which has been struggling even after a successful revival based on Android smartphones. More importantly, it would give Google an in-house manufacturer for Android, creating a top-down supply chain a la the iPhone. Motorola announced via press release that its shareholders will vote to approve or deny the acquisition on November 17th.

U.S. District judge says Samsung tablets violate Apple’s patents

By Michael Crider
on 13 Oct, 2011

Samsung is having a hard day. (They never got the hang of Thursdays.) After Australia upheld Apple's injunction against the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with possible monopolistic implications, the judge in the United States case covering some of the same issues has confirmed that the Korean electronics giant is violating Apple's patents here. This could pave the way for sales bans like those already in place down under and in Germany.

Microsoft signs more Android patent agreements, this time with Quanta

By Cory Gunther
on 13 Oct, 2011

Microsoft is at it again, wasting no time signing deals covering royalties and patent agreements from everyone involved in the Android OEM business as of late. The latest to fall victim this time around is Quanta Computers. The name might not be widely known but Quanta is a huge manufacturer of electronic devices. They built the BlackBerry Playbook, the Kindle Fire, and have contracts with companies such as HP, Apple, Dell, Gateway, Lenovo, Sony and many others. Today have signed patent royalty agreements with Microsoft over any Android or Chrome products they intent to build now, and in the future.

Apple’s win in Australia could shut down Android competition for good

By Michael Crider
on 13 Oct, 2011

Google has steadily argues that Apple's patent fight with Samsung isn't about intellectual property, it's about shutting down the competition. Apple's injunction against the Galaxy Tab 10.1 was upheld in Australia today, and if other courts see this as precedent, that very well could happen. The patents in question are so far-reaching that, in Australia at least, the ruling could prevent any other Android tablets from being sold.

Google & T-Mobile file to support HTC in Apple lawsuit

By Michael Crider
on 8 Oct, 2011

T-Mobile and Google have both filed friends of the court briefs supporting HTC against Apple's patent lawsuit. The two corporations are protecting interests in the Android platform and its manufacturers, as both of them are actively supporting Samsung in a similar case. The reasoning behind their support briefs is the public interest, and both claim that if Apple keeps HTC from selling competitive devices, various negative effects will be felt by American consumers.

Samsung attempts iPhone 4S ban in Italy and France, files for iPad rejection

By Michael Crider
on 5 Oct, 2011

Can't we all just get along? When it comes to international tech megacorps, apparently not. Fresh off of Apple's refusal to accept a settlement in the Australian patent case over the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Samsung has filed preliminary injunctions in both Italy and France to halt the sales of the new iPhone 4S before they even begin. Apple had hoped to rollout the updated iPhone across 70 countries later this month.

Eric Schmidt: Motorola acquisition “Won’t screw up the ecosystem”

By Michael Crider
on 3 Oct, 2011

Many industry insiders, not the least of whom being Motorola's competitors, have worried that Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility might make the hardware company the "golden child" of the Android universe. Google chairman Eric Schmidt gave an interview this weekend, assuaging fears and assuring investors that the stability of Android is paramount. Google, he said, is committed to Android as a whole, and will not play favorites - sort of.

Microsoft’s Android patents could be worth $444 million a year

By Michael Crider
on 29 Sep, 2011

Microsoft has been collecting licensing agreements from Android manufacturers like Samsung and HTC for months now. According to ZDNet, this adds up to some serious dinero, to the tune of $444 million every year. With Android continuing to dominate in markets around the world, that number can only grow.