Microsoft sues Motorola (for Android)

[diogen]

I hope they find something to answer with...

They did...
Samsung strikes back at Apple with ten patent infringement claims -- Engadget

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Intimidation. Hope that the threat to be sued itself will stop companies jumping on the Android bandwagon.

Along the same lines
Here's The Real Reason Apple Is Suing Samsung

Apple: "You are saying Android is free? We will make sure it isn't!"
Magic can have many different forms...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

This won't be over tomorrow and Apple might want to start looking into the list of alternative suppliers...
Samsung continues barrage against Apple with new lawsuit in the US

If Samsung can come out of this fight as a winner (i.e. anything but Apple's outright win), Android will have much less legal problems going forward...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

It is really nice to see Google getting into bidding for Nortel patents...

And they seem to be getting it
Court approves Google

Diogen.

 

[Peter Parker]

They are the stalking horse but that does not guarantee they will win.

 

[diogen]

Samsung is probably Apple's single most important supplier. But it is known that Apple is trying to have at least two for each part.
Therefore, I think this is just designed as a quick shakeout ending just like Microsoft vs. HTC did.

It doesn't look like this tussle has any chance for a quick and peaceful settlement.
Apple already has found the replacement for Samsung as a supplier
Intel to Build Next Generation Processor for iOS devices? | WinBeta

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Now, that LG made it into the top 5 smartphone manufacturers (replacing Motorola), this can be read as another potential lawsuit
iPad 2 light leakage due to faulty LG panels? (update) -- Engadget
Not because some of the panels are faulty, but because LG is "guilty" of the same crime as Samsung - competing with Apple.

And although they don't have a player that is a carbon copy of the iPod Touch, this looks "very similar" to the iPhone
LG Optimus Black debuts in Europe 'this month,' rest of the world settles for dual-core crumbs -- Engadget

And I'm not even talking about their tablet - Apple has patented "rectangular shape with rounded corners" a while ago and everybody has to pay up...

Bottom line: as LG ramps up smartphone production and gets closer to Samsung in units shipped, expect a lawsuit from Apple for "stealing their inventions". They must be "talking"with them already...

Time frame: as soon as they find another screen supplier.

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Time frame: as soon as they find another screen supplier.

This might not be such an easy task...
Samsung’s new 2560×1600 screen: Retina for iPad 3?

Two biggest innovators in the screens-for-gadgets business are Samsung and LG (who makes Apple's 326ppi Retina Display).
Samsung already has "legal relationship" with Apple and LG most likely will get there as they ramp up manufacturing.

It looks like Samsung might get the upper hand in the next generation screens.
Might be a good reason (for Apple) to think about settling...

Samsung at least should add a "legal" component to the screen price when sold for iPad3.
In this case Apple will foot the lawyer bill on both sides...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Maybe Toshiba will be Apple's screen supplier?
They make neither phones nor tablets (yet) and as long as it stays like this, legal actions ain't likely...
Toshiba enters pixel density fray with 367ppi LCDs for cellphones -- Engadget

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Nathan Myhrvold isn't a poor guy, but his IV enterprise (some call it a patent troll) is getting very popular.
First, Samsung and HTC. Now RIM joined the crowd.

With the latest lawsuit against Apple developers an interesting tidbit came to light

IV was started by former Microsoft CTO Nathan Mhyrvold with investments from a number of companies, including Apple and Google — and Apple, Google, and Microsoft each have blanket licenses on the Intellectual Ventures portfolio of some 30,000 patents...

That might be the reason - aside from making Mhyrvold rich - why nobody sues Google directly (except Oracle's Java VM lawsuit)...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Maybe Toshiba will be Apple's screen supplier?
They make neither phones nor tablets...

But this likely is going to change soon...
Product portal, tweets suggest 'Thrive' moniker for Toshiba's Honeycomb tablet -- Engadget

And unless this slab is not rectangular and has no rounded corners - it will be sued, too.
Companies have to invent themselves, not steal others' inventions...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

It doesn't look like this tussle has any chance for a quick and peaceful settlement.

Most definitely
Samsung’s lawyers demand to see the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 | This is my next...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

It is really nice to see Google getting into bidding for Nortel patents.

There is competition, between usual suspects...
Apple, Google bids on Nortel patents getting antitrust scrutiny

According to the Journal, however, Apple's interest in the Nortel patents is some cause for concern. The company has been involved in several intellectual property and patent lawsuits with companies like Nokia, Samsung, HTC, and Amazon as of late, and the DoJ undoubtedly wants to make sure Apple won't simply abuse Nortel's portfolio in order to sue more companies.

Some reasonable concerns on DoJ part, long overdue, if you ask me...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Talk about settled lawsuits: first time I see one involving Apple and not only not settled, but Apple obviously being the loser
Apple and Nokia patent dispute ends with license agreement, Apple payments -- Engadget

I guess “We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours” goes both ways...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Lots of comments about the Nokia vs. Apple licensing shuffle.

From very black and white
Nokia defeats Apple in patent battle
to very subtle
Nokia and Apple settle patent disputes; Apple to pay one-time fee and ongoing license fees | This is my next...

Bottom line: this is in no shape or form start of a trend, but the magic spotless image got a few stains (or is it scars)...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

The number guessing game is in full swing:
from 500M Euros, to 4 euro per iPhone to 1-2% of iPhone revenue
Nokia Beats Apple In Patent Dispute | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

That would be in the same ballpark as the fee HTC pays Microsoft
HTC Pays Microsoft $5 Per Android Phone, Says Citi

Interesting distinction: Elop is labeled as a (potential) patent troll while Jobs is always fighting the good fight.
Except for when Schwartz has a say...
Ex-Sun CEO dishes dirt: Steve Jobs as Apple "patent troll" - Computerworld Blogs

Now Microsoft has to buy Nokia and be paid for every Android and iPhone on the market...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Apple vs. Samsung: miserable inevitability...
Apple accuses samsung of harassment for wanting to see iphone 5 and ipad 3- The Inquirer

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

It is really nice to see Google getting into bidding for Nortel patents.

That upcoming auction next week is going to be an interesting event
US DOJ greenlights Google's $900 million bid for Nortel patents; Apple, RIM also interested -- Engadget

Could it be that Apple settled with Nokia to be seen by the DoJ as a "nice playing" competitor?

Hopefully they see that you can't teach a "legal dog" new tricks...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Intel also cleared (by FTC) for the bidding war for Nortel patents
Intel gets FTC approval to acquire Nortel patent portfolio | Electronista

That will be an interesting show to watch...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Apple already has found the replacement for Samsung as a supplier.

It might not be Intel but TSMC in the end, but come 2012 it won't be Samsung
Apple to move ARM SoC production away from Samsung in 2012

Diogen.