HTC Planning To Sue Apple Over LTE Patents, Which Are Probably Valid

Apple is currently trying to invalidate two of HTC’s patents, patents HTC is planning to use against Apple soon. The patents are related to data transfer over LTE, meaning HTC would be suing Apple over the use of 4G LTE technology in their devices. This includes the new iPad and maybe the new iPhone about to be announced on the 12th.

If HTC wins this trial, this could mean an import ban on all Apple LTE products. A ban on the new iPhone as it launches would be absolutely devastating for Apple, so HTC really has some good leverage in this situation. It could be used to work out current legal problems between them. They could also win some money for lost royalties, considering the iPad with LTE has been selling for a while.

This should turn out interesting. Samsung was planning to sue over LTE too. This could be a turnaround for these lawsuits and Apple winning so (unbelievably) often. Hopefully things turning the other way will result in more calmness.

Business Week

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BrandonMoore 7 pts

Ok do any if you know what LTE stands for?! I work in this business I am a mobile sailes Consultant. To me saying your going to sue someone for using a technology that everyone is going to have to move to is dumb. That's like saying oh your phones has a wifi and Bluetooth radio just like mine well see ya in court. Everything is going to Long-term evolution. Yea I know that the htc thunderbolt was one of the first LTE devices but it crazy that there wanting to sue apple. All it is is a pissing contest really

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kanoneyez 72 pts

@BrandonMoore: I think you mean sales consultant. And yes I'm well acquainted with technology.

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BrandonMoore 7 pts

@kanoneyez yes lol I'm on my iPhone and my auto correct is driving me crazy.

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kanoneyez 72 pts

 BrandonMoore Hello again, Brandon: You've stated a few things that make me wonder if you understand the term "standards essential" or "essential patent." Note this brief article from wikipedia. Note particularly that royalties can be demanded.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_patent

 

My background: Worked for AT&T in a corporate office in Northern CA for 17 years. Some training in circuit management but only landlines. PC & server support, data analysis, software testing and much more during those 17 years. Started as wireless subscriber in 1994 and became the first (now "retired") moderator on wirelessadvisor.com. I keep current on technology but more from a smart-user / geek perspective now, instead of tech. I have watched the industry (especially ATT) go from analog to through all its iterations (generations) of digital wireless. Where most people can through around terms such as LTE and others, I can explain it, but I usually don't because i'm not here to boast. I consider myself on a level playing field with everyone here and just enjoy discussing the industry. I have always felt that Apple is sub-par and especially take exception to their business practices.

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kanoneyez 72 pts

 BrandonMoore Sorry brain freeze. Met "throw around," not "through around"

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vikingsfootball09 5 pts

Lte is not currently 100% standard, being that hspa and wimax still exist...while a rectangle with rounded corners are standard.

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BrandonMoore 7 pts

@vikingsfootball09 well yea it is most of every phone that has been released uses or will use LTE. Htc evo LTE the viper 4g LTE the S3's the razr.s the note the almost every Verizon phone uses LTE AT&T is using LTE and sprint is updating to LTE. So yes it's really standard.

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BrandonMoore 7 pts

But with out the cell phone providers have that technology the Manufacturers of the phones could not use it. For that matter Verizon could sue AT&T and sprint for using LTE bc Verizon was the first to interface it at least in the us. But if HDTV wants to sue apple then they should also sue Samsung lg and Sony and Nokia. Most phones now are LTE.

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flawless0369 5 pts

 BrandonMoore In that case AT&T should be able to sue Verizon and Sprint since AT&T release the first mobile phone before the baby bells broke apart to form Verizon and Sprint.  Therefore, Verizon and Sprint copied AT&T.

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kanoneyez 72 pts

 flawless0369  BrandonMoore Hey guys, your arguments make assumptions that are so completely wrong. You assume that the carriers are the inventors of wireless technology. You also seem to assume that the handsets were invented by the carriers. Both assumptions are incorrect. While both the old Bell and Edison companies, (forerunners of the current big two carriers) did have contributions, today's technology is so convoluted as to who really invented what that neither of your examples are valid.

 

http://wireless.ece.ufl.edu/jshea/HistoryOfWirelessCommunication.html

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flawless0369 5 pts

@kanoneyez I know my assumption is inaccurate. I am simply using this example to show the fallacy of the OP by @BrandonMoore

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BrandonMoore 7 pts

I don't think that one phone Manufacturer should be able to sue for the "patente" 4g lte use. Due to the face its the carriers that own and have the LTE service. Everything is going to LTE. so it would be kinda pointless to sue over LTE in the apple iPhone and ipad.

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TheTechChat 13 pts

 BrandonMoore LTE is made up of various inventions, which could certainly be patented. Why should those patents not be enforced? In all likelihood, they're probably bona fide inventions to boot, unlike some of Apple's patents that seem like mere ideas, have plenty of prior art, or are overly vague and broad.

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BrandonMoore 7 pts

@TheTechChat But with out the cell phone providers have that technology the Manufacturers of the phones could not use it. For that matter Verizon could sue AT&T and sprint for using LTE bc Verizon was the first to interface it at least in the us. But if HDTV wants to sue apple then they should also sue Samsung lg and Sony and Nokia. Most phones now are LTE.

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TheTechChat 13 pts

 BrandonMoore  TheTechChat Honestly, I'm not following you. HTC has patents around LTE technology (and we don't know what specifically, could be the phone chipset, could be software that runs it, who knows), and HTC believes Apple infringes on those patents. Doesn't matter who else uses "LTE" (which is a name given to a whole host of pieces that make up the spec), this is about HTC suing Apple. 

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bedwa 7 pts

@BrandonMoore umm, it's the manufacturers that make the technology (GSM standard, Nokia, Motorola. UMTS standard, Samsung ect.) and the carriers that choose to use the technology on their networks. The patenting of these technologies are completely valid.

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jillxz 6 pts

 BrandonMoore  TheTechChat Most smart phones are retangular with rounded corners and Apple sued.  Hope HTC  wins this one.

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BrandonMoore 7 pts

@TheTechChat Verizon was the first to use LTE. Then AT&T and spring. It's in how the towers send the info to the devices yes that need a softener sim and radio but EVERYTHING is going to use LTE.

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BrandonMoore 7 pts

@jillxz @TheTechChat well for that fact apples iPhone is a one body phone with no battery that can be removed. For that matter apple can sue htc and Motorola for using that design in there phones. Duh

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jillxz 6 pts

 BrandonMoore  jillxz  TheTechChat Sure they will sue. They are afraid the androids might gin in popularity and market share.  So , they sue trying to hurt another brand.  They are nothing but sue trolls. , lol.

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kanoneyez 72 pts

 BrandonMoore Brandon, actually that is not correct. The carriers buy infrastructure equipment (the technology, hardware and software) that controls the wireless network. Do a search for Ericsson and you will find they are major player in the network equipment that is purchased by network operators such as ATT & Verizon. So far, both HTC and Samsung, who do indeed have patents related to LTE technology have come forward threatening to sue Apple if Apple includes LTE radio in their phone. The ONLY valid argument was mentioned by one poster--that LTE is "standards-essential" technology which means it cannot be monopolized nor horded. I am not sure what obligation companies such as Apple have to compensation HTC or Samsung for such use of patented technology due to the nature of the patent.

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BrandonMoore 7 pts

@kanoneyez lol that is true but as I have stated before LTE is something that is going to be required by the carrier for most phones to work with in the next 2-3 years. This will me my secound iPhone launch with my current job. I hope that apple includes LTE I'm the new iPhone really for Verizon it sucks that AT&T has 4g for there 4s.

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kanoneyez 72 pts

hmmm. Invalidating patents. That was my idea about Apple's dubious patents. They stole my "invalid patents" idea. I think I'll sue them.

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