Apple, HTC sign cross-licensing agreement, end lawsuits
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Sun 11th Nov 2012 12:48 UTC
Legal Interesting news in the middle of the night: Apple and HTC have announced they've settled all their patent disputes, bringing an end to all running lawsuits between the two companies. The companies signed a ten-year cross-licensing deal. Considering Apple's legal assault on Android hasn't been going particularly well, this really shouldn't come as a surprise.
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Not going well?
by jared_wilkes on Sun 11th Nov 2012 14:56 UTC
jared_wilkes
Member since:
2011-04-25

HTC - settled
Samsung - lost a jury trial with a penalty in excess of $1 billion, no major injunctions or victories against Apple products, numerous antitrust investigations
Motorola - numerous antitrust investigations, weighing down Google's financials

The Android RDF is quite powerful.

Reply Score: 2

RE: Not going well?
by darknexus on Sun 11th Nov 2012 15:14 in reply to "Not going well?"
darknexus Member since:
2008-07-15

HTC - settled

I'd call that a success but not a successful litigation. Had Apple been successful in the court room against HTC, I doubt this cross-licensing would have happened now. I call this settlement a success for both, since both companies can now get back to what they're good at (making awesome products) and spend money on r&d and future innovation.

Samsung - lost a jury trial with a penalty in excess of $1 billion, no major injunctions or victories against Apple products, numerous antitrust investigations

You do know that Samsung, as of yet, hasn't had to pay a dime and the appeal could go either way? Do you have a source for your claim of an anti-trust investigation against Samsung? I've not heard about this.

Motorola - numerous antitrust investigations, weighing down Google's financials

Indeed, but keep in mind that Motorola and Apple are by no means done with their legal mudslinging, and it's still taking up resources that should be going elseware. This most recent one is Google/Motorola's fault however, so I can't exactly feel much sympathy for them.

The Android RDF is quite powerful.

As is the Linux rdf, the Microsoft rdf, the Apple rdf: well, you take my point. Actually, around here, I've noticed the Microsoft and Linux rdfs becoming the strongest, but that's another topic altogether.

Reply Parent Score: 3

RE[2]: Not going well?
by jared_wilkes on Sun 11th Nov 2012 15:32 in reply to "RE: Not going well?"
jared_wilkes Member since:
2011-04-25

I call this settlement a success for both...


So it's certainly not a failure for Apple, and certainly, HTC would have preferred to have carried on without any legal threat or any need to settle a legal action.

You do know that Samsung, as of yet, hasn't had to pay a dime and the appeal could go either way?


Yes to the first question (I approach litigation with practicality — it is nearly impossible to not suffer some losses and it is time consuming; this doesn't alter the fact that Apple is "winning" against Samsung); no to the second. This is like saying the US Presidential election could have gone either way. Sure, in theory, but in practicality, the odds are hugely stacked in Apple's favor despite the propaganda of Thom and Pj.

Do you have a source for your claim of an anti-trust investigation against Samsung? I've not heard about this.


Every major news outlet has reported on it. Maybe you should read news produced by non-Fandroids:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/06/us-samsung-apple-korea-pr...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204740904577194503316...
http://bgr.com/2012/10/24/apple-samsung-patent-despite-doj-investig...

Indeed, but keep in mind that Motorola and Apple are by no means done with their legal mudslinging, and it's still taking up resources that should be going elseware. This most recent one is Google/Motorola's fault however, so I can't exactly feel much sympathy for them.


Sure, it is by no means done. But, of course, Motorola is completely lacking in any significant victory at this stage. AND is facing 3 antitrust investigations. AND is providing NEGATIVE financial impact to Google. Your view that they'd both be better off by not litigating, doesn't change the fact that Apple has been more successful against Motorola than vice versa.

Edited 2012-11-11 15:33 UTC

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RE: Not going well?
by unclefester on Mon 12th Nov 2012 02:55 in reply to "Not going well?"
unclefester Member since:
2007-01-13


The Android RDF is quite powerful.


Apple has lost every significant non-US lawsuit. It will almost certainly lose the recent California lawsuit on appeal.

More importantly Apple is been is being annihilated in the most important "court" - the market. It now has less than 20% of the smartphone market and less than 50% tablet marketshare. The numbers are only going to get much worse for Apple.

Reply Parent Score: 4

RE[2]: Not going well?
by jared_wilkes on Mon 12th Nov 2012 03:33 in reply to "RE: Not going well?"
jared_wilkes Member since:
2011-04-25

Two years ago Apple had a little less than 3% of worldwide mobile phone sales. Now they have a little less than 7% of worldwide mobile phone sales. In other words, Apple's share has grown by more than 100%.

http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1372013
http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=2120015

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