APPLE SUE HTC OVER COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

Apple have filed a lawsuit against HTC, who have released a number of Android-based smartphones - most recently Desire, Legend and HD Mini -, alleging the company has infringed on copyright over their technology.

The suit does not include Google who created the Android system a number of HTC phones operate on, but claim HTC have infringed on 20 patents to do with iPhone's user interface and surrounding technologies. As the interface is being named an infringement, it seems bizarre that the Android OS creators Google are not included in the suit.

Google have explained on the issue:
“We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it."

Instead this leads us to presume the problem is with HTC's Sense which has been implemented on most of their recent and current smartphones, along with Android.

HTC, the world's largest manufacturer of Android phones, told the Taiwanese stock exchange that it “is not only a mobile technology innovator, [we] also hold a large number of patents." It added that the company will work with the American justice system to protect their own innovations and rights and does not think the Apple lawsuit will trouble its business.

It does indeed seem another move by Apple's over eager law department, but still affected HTC's stock, that dropped 2 per cent.

by Richard Armitage