A patent lawsuit filed by Apple, Inc. against the HTC Corp was finally decided by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in favor of Apple. The case involves an Apple patent, called “data tapping”, where a device, such as a phone, can identify a phone number in a computer document like an email, select that number and the user can perform another application on it, i.e, calling the number.
The decision bans android devices like the HTC EVO 4G, Droid Incredible and T-Mobile G2 starting April 19, 2012. Similar units sold before that date will be unaffected. HTC is also given up to December 19, 2013 to import refurbished phones of the same units for warranty purposes.
In a statement released by the HTC, it said that it respects the decision but considers the patent a “small UI experience” and that HTC will completely remove the software from its phones soon. It is believed that HTC may not be affected after all by the decision as it has several options to address the issue, either by developing a workaround software or removing the feature via an update.
It is believed that the suit filed by Apple, while against the HTC, was actually directed against android and that this victory may be used by Apple to go after other devices using Android. Meanwhile, we still have to see how the absence of this software will affect consumer preference and the sales of android devices in general.
President Obama can veto the ITC decision within 60 days from the date of ruling.
You might also like
Tags: Apple, apple filed patent lawsuit, apple vs htc, HTC, list of banned htc android phones
