Apple Runs Out of Patience, Sues HTC

It was a matter of time before Apple started going after its competitors. The company has been very patient in this area, allowing other smart-phone makers to duplicate some of the exciting features that can be found on iPhone. But as its competition with Google intensifies, it’s only a matter of time before a few of Apple’s rival feel Steve Job’s wrath.

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.

Apple itself has been the subject of multiple lawsuits recently. Nokia and Kodak are all after Apple to get a piece of its pie. So the move to put pressure on Nexus One manufacturer was expected. Apple is suing HTC for infringing upon 20 of its patents, and it seeks to bar HTC from selling its devices in the U.S.

If Apple wins the lawsuit, this may potentially affect HTC’s revenues and their competitiveness in the long run

That would be devastating news for Android fan, but it’s unlikely for Apple and HTC to come to a resolution anytime soon. So those who own HTC’s handset should rest easy as the case will drag on.

HTC is not having any of it as you might have expected. The company has indicated that it will defend its own “innovations” against its competitors:

HTC is a mobile technology innovator and patent holder that has been very focused over the past 13 years on creating many of the most innovative smartphones. HTC Corp. values U.S. and international patent rights and will work with in the U.S. Judicial System to protect its own innovations and rights

Apple is not going to stop its lawsuits with HTC. Nokia has been putting pressure on Apple with its own lawsuits, and Apple intends to respond to that as well. The company has learned its lessons from previous failed lawsuits, and it intends to go after Google and Android in general by suing competing handset manufacturers. It’s tough to say how this case will turn out, but if Apple is awarded any sort of victory against HTC, even more lawsuits may come out Apple’s headquarters.