HTC sues Apple for patent infringement on patents from Google

By Mike Dunn Published September 7, 2011

It wouldn’t be a normal day in the tech world without some sort of legal dispute between mobile phone makers. Today’s news comes courtesy of HTC who has filed yet another lawsuit against Apple. What makes this news even more juicy is the fact that HTC obtained the patents that it is basing its case on from Google. On September 1 Google transferred nine patents over to HTC, and today’s suit focuses on four of those patents. At this time we do not know what each of the nine patents cover, or how Apple is infringing on those patents.

The nine patents from Google come from a variety of places such as Motorola, Palm, and Openwave Systems. It should be noted that the patents were transferred from Motorola before Google’s offer to purchase Motorola, and are independent of the purchase. There is no word on how much money HTC paid for the patents from Google, but it is clear that they did not waste any time using them against Apple.

Recommended Videos

This is the latest in the line of legal battles between Apple and Android device makers. Besides Apple’s ongoing battle with Samsung, HTC filed a patent suit last month against Apple. Apple is fighting on several fronts, and it’s anyone’s guess as to how all the battles will end.

If Google had the patents why didn’t Google attack Apple on its own instead of having HTC do its dirty work? When Google bought Motorola it said that it did so to protect Android, so maybe it has decided the best defense is a good offense?

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Mike graduated from University of Arizona with a degree in poetry, and made his big break by writing love sonnets to the…

Topics

Computing

Google demos its smartglasses and makes us hanker for the future

A screenshot from Google's TED Talk on its smartglasses.

At a recent TED talk, Google’s exciting XR smartglasses were demonstrated to the public for the very first time. While we’ve seen the smartglasses before, it has always been in highly polished videos showcasing Project Astra, where we never get a true feel for the features and functionality in the real world. All that has now changed, and our first glimpse of the future is very exciting. However, future is very much the operative word.

https://www.ted.com/talks/shahram_izadi_the_next_computer_your_glasses?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

Mobile

Five reasons I’m excited for the new Google Pixel 9a

Person holds Pixel 9a in hand while sitting in a car.

Google has consistently ranked among the best smartphones for its affordable devices over the past six years, particularly with its Pixel A series. The Pixel 3a set the trend for major phone manufacturers to provide a compelling experience at half the price of flagship models, intensifying competition in this segment.

In the last three months, we’ve seen Samsung introduce the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36, which deliver features from the Galaxy S25 series at a significantly lower price point. Then there’s Apple, which entered the market with the iPhone 16e, priced considerably higher than its rivals. Additionally, Nothing offers the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro, arguably the best phones available at $379 and $459, respectively.

Mobile

Google Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16e: Which budget phone is best?

Alleged depiction of Google Pixel 9a.

The Google Pixel 9a is here, and it's a worthy contender for the Apple iPhone 16e's crown as one of the top budget phones. But does Google's latest budget device really pose a threat to Apple's no-frills iPhone? We looked at the Google Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16e head to head, from design and display to battery life and performance, to see which phone comes out on top — and which you should buy.
Google Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16e: specs

Google Pixel 9a
iPhone 16e