Apple Files A Fresh Lawsuit Against HTC

Apple had recently filed a lawsuit against Samsung, which led to both the companies pointing fingers at each other. However, the Korean conglomerate withdrew one of the lawsuits against the iPhone maker just a few days ago, even though the company still continues to fight the legal battle. It should be noted that Apple had also filed a lawsuit againstHTC in March 2010, accusing the company of patent infringement. The Cupertino-based company went to the ITC(International Trade Commission), asking them to ban the selling of HTC products in the U.S. However, the ITC ruled in favour of HTC in April. Apple has now filed another fresh complaint against HTC with the Trade Commission, seeking compensation in the same dispute.

Not long ago, Apple was simultaneously fighting another legal battle with Nokia, which ended in the court handing the verdict in favour of the Finnish mobile maker. This resulted in Apple being ordered to pay a huge sum of money with royalties for each iPhone sold. That being said, Nokia is better equipped in the patent wars unlike HTC, which does not hold as many patents as Nokia does.

The ITC usually gives the verdict in about a month's time and hence companies prefer this over normal courts which usually take longer. As far as Apple's second patent is concerned, it seems like a desperate second attempt to prove its point. However, a final verdict on the first case will be given on the 5th of August, where the judges could side by Apple. Interestingly, HTC acquired the S3 firm last week, which could bring some patents to their kitty. Apple's list of HTC devices that infringe on its patents include the HTC Desire, Hero, Aria, Wildfire, and other U.S. exclusive handsets plus the HTC Flyer. All eyes would be focussed on Apple and HTC on the 5th of next month to learn about the latest developments in the patent wars.