Some Android-based HTC smartphones may be banned from the U.S. beginning in April, but the Korean vendor is ready with a workaround

Sarah Thomas, Director, Women in Comms

December 19, 2011

2 Min Read
Apple Wins HTC Patent Suit

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has ruled in favor of Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) in its patent case against High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) (Taiwan: 2498) and has announced that certain of HTC's Android-based smartphones will be banned from U.S. import starting April 19. The ITC announced its ruling on Monday.

Apple sued HTC in March. In July, the ITC found the handset maker to be in violation of two out of the 10 patents Apple called into question. Today's ruling upholds that decision. (See Apple Sues HTC.)

Why this matters
The loss is detrimental to HTC, whose high-end Android smartphones are making a name for the company in the U.S. The handset maker, however, said in a statement to Boy Genius Report that it was well prepared for this decision and that its designers have created alternative solutions for one of the patents it was said to violate.

What's more unsettling is what this could mean for the entire Android ecosystem. It could set a precedent for more rulings in Apple's favor, as its hardware partners all rely on the same open-source software.

Android's hardware makers, and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) itself, have been hit continually with lawsuits -- which led Google to make a bid for Motorola Mobility LLC to shore up its patent defenses. But even if the Moto deal is approved, Google's days in the courtroom won't be over any time soon. (See It's BT's Turn to Sue Google.)

For more
HTC isn't Apple's only patent target, nor is Apple the only company going after Android. Read up on legal proceedings around the globe below.

  • EC Hints at Smartphone Patent Probe

  • Apple vs. Android Patent Spat Goes Global

  • Google Slams Android Patent Attackers

  • Samsung Hears From T-Mobile & Steve Jobs

  • Verizon Defends Samsung Against Apple

  • Samsung Tries to Block Apple Sales in the US

  • Making Sense of the Handset Patent Plays

  • Handset Makers Air Patent Grievances

  • Apple Wins Patent Victory Over HTC



— Sarah Reedy, Senior Reporter, Light Reading Mobile

About the Author(s)

Sarah Thomas

Director, Women in Comms

Sarah Thomas's love affair with communications began in 2003 when she bought her first cellphone, a pink RAZR, which she duly "bedazzled" with the help of superglue and her dad.

She joined the editorial staff at Light Reading in 2010 and has been covering mobile technologies ever since. Sarah got her start covering telecom in 2007 at Telephony, later Connected Planet, may it rest in peace. Her non-telecom work experience includes a brief foray into public relations at Fleishman-Hillard (her cussin' upset the clients) and a hodge-podge of internships, including spells at Ingram's (Kansas City's business magazine), American Spa magazine (where she was Chief Hot-Tub Correspondent), and the tweens' quiz bible, QuizFest, in NYC.

As Editorial Operations Director, a role she took on in January 2015, Sarah is responsible for the day-to-day management of the non-news content elements on Light Reading.

Sarah received her Bachelor's in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She lives in Chicago with her 3DTV, her iPad and a drawer full of smartphone cords.

Away from the world of telecom journalism, Sarah likes to dabble in monster truck racing, becoming part of Team Bigfoot in 2009.

Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry.
Join 62,000+ members. Yes it's completely free.

You May Also Like