Apple Vs HTC: Phone patents

Is HTC stealing iPhone tech?

If you're Apple and you're the leader in next-gen technology, smartphones and shiny gizmos, you want to protect your position. As such, Steve Job's wonder-company has started legal action against phone maker HTC, alleging it has infringed patented technology.

The product said to be infringed is Apple's pride and joy - the iPhone and they believe that HTC has violated 20 patents for their own gain.

Apple have said these 20 patents are for the protection of technology that is utilised in the iPhone interface as well as its "underlying hardware and architecture." HTC have been the company behind several new smartphones include Google's Nexus One.

It is believed the 'pinch-to-zoom' function that is key to the iPhone is the main reason behind the lawsuit.

In a statement, Steve Jobs threw down the gauntlet saying, "We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it."

"We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."

Courtroom action

Apple has filed the suit in the US courts in Delaware, Maryland, but also with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which has the power to halt imports of products. This could be detrimental to HTC and Google, whose free Android mobile operating system is built into a growing number of HTC phones, and has been making waves in the smartphone market in recent months.

HTC was, as you expect, noncommital about the accusations. "Until we have had this opportunity, we are unable to comment on the validity of the claims being made against HTC," it said in a statement.

If the lawsuit goes in Apple's favour, it could seriously damage HTC who have made multiple handsets using Google's Android operating system. HTC has in the past been the largest manufacturer of Windows Mobile handsets, but has recently shifted its allegiance to Google's Android, which is free and has captured significant market share since being launched in 2008.

It is not the only legal battle Apple is currently fighting; Nokia is suing them for, ironically, patent infringement saying Apple had stolen patented technology. The suit was filed in October 2009 and a month later, Apple counter-sued. The case is continuing.

Relevant articles:

Life-saving smartphone applications | Nexus One hit by complaints | Google unleashes Nexus One 'superphone'

Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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