Google tries to block U.S. shipments of Apple

[BoredBozirini]

By Susan Decker and William McQuillen

June 25 (Bloomberg) ? A U.S. trade agency said it willreview a judge?s findings that Apple Inc.?s iPhone and iPad tablet computer infringe a patent owned by Google Inc.?s Motorola Mobility unit, in a case that could lead to imports of the devices being banned. The U.S. International Trade Commission said it will review ITC Judge Thomas Pender?s findings that Apple was violating one Motorola Mobility patent. The commission is scheduled to issue a final decision on Aug. 24, and has the power to block devices made in Asia from entering the U.S. The iPhone, iPad and related devices generate 78 percent of Apple?s revenue. The commission said it would review aspects of all four Motorola Mobility patents in the case, including the one found to be infringed. The agency also will consider whether it should be issuing import bans on products found to infringe patents related to industry standards. Notice of the commission?s decision was posted today on the agency?s website.

The iPhone generated $22 billion in sales last quarter for Apple, or 58 percent of the company?s total revenue. It was the best-selling smartphone in the U.S., with 29 percent of the market, while Motorola Mobility had 10 percent, researcher NPD Group said May 2. Apple?s iPad dominates the tablet computer market, with 72 percent of the market, according to researcher DisplaySearch. The iPad and related products brought in $9.2 billion for Apple, almost 20 percent of its revenue. Motorola Mobility filed the complaint in October 2010 as a pre-emptive strike after Apple made public statements that phones running on Google?s Android operating system were copying features of the iPhone. The dispute is part of a broader global battle for supremacy in the smartphone and tablet computer markets that also pits Apple against Android-device manufacturers Samsung Electronics Co. and HTC Corp. Android is the most popular platform for smartphones, with 61 percent of the market, NPD said. Apple is appealing its loss in the patent-infringement complaint it filed at the ITC against Libertyville, Illinois- based Motorola Mobility, and a federal judge in Chicago last week threw out patent claims Apple and Motorola Mobility had filed against each other. Google bought Motorola Mobility in part to gain access to its trove of 17,000 patents, many on phone technology.

Cupertino, California-based Apple also has filed a complaint against Motorola Mobility at the European Union, accusing the handset manufacturer of misusing patents that relate to industry standards. The patent that Pender said Apple infringed relates to the industry standard for 3G technology used by most phones, and Motorola Mobility has argued that Apple infringes the patent by

following the standard. Apple argued that, since Motorola Mobility helped establish the standard, it shouldn?t be allowed to block use of patent inventions related to the standard. It filed a lawsuit accusing Motorola Mobility of breaching its contractual obligation to license any standard-essential patents on fair and reasonable terms.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission, members of Congress and Microsoft Corp. have filed papers supporting Apple?s argument that import bans should not be imposed on such patents. Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile-phone service provider, and No. 2 AT&T Inc. filed papers making similar arguments. Verizon Wireless, jointly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group Plc, also said an import ban on the iPhone ?would hamper technological development, strand critical infrastructure investment and cost American jobs.? The patent that was found to be infringed covers a way to eliminate noise so signals are clearer. A Wi-Fi patent is invalid because it doesn?t cover a new invention, the judge said. No infringement was found on two other patents, for a way the server tracks which applications are available, and a sensor to determine the proximity of a person?s head to the phone so it doesn?t accidentally hang up or dial unwanted numbers. The case against Apple is In the Matter of Wireless Communication Devices, Portable Music and Data Processing Devices, Computers and Components Thereof, 337-745, and Apple?s case against Motorola Mobility is In the Matter of Mobile Devices and Related Software, 337-750, both U.S. International

Trade.

Source

After people saying that it is Apple the one who is sue-happy and patent whoring, look who joined the party. And more hilarious is everyone else backing Apple up. This alone shows how Google is in it for the quick money.

[neo158]

Source

After people saying that it is Apple the one who is sue-happy and patent whoring, look who joined the party. And more hilarious is everyone else backing Apple up. This alone shows how Google is in it for the quick money.

This is one, yes ONE court case initiated by google compared to how many from Apple?

You say Google are sue-happy and patent whoring. I think you need to keep up with current events a little more especially as your beloved Apple accused HTC of being anti-competitive!!!!

[Astra.Xtreme]

This is one, yes ONE court case initiated by google compared to how many from Apple?

You say Google are sue-happy and patent whoring. I think you need to keep up with current events a little more especially as your beloved Apple accused HTC of being anti-competitive!!!!

There are plenty plenty more of these that Google has been part of. Absolutely not just this one...

Everybody sues everyone, so who really cares anymore? It's all lame and a waste of time. Doesn't really matter who is suing who, and why. The patent system is garbage and the lawyers just keep getting richer. It all needs to change.

[neo158]

There are plenty plenty more of these that Google has been part of. Absolutely not just this one...

Everybody sues everyone, so who really cares anymore? It's all lame and a waste of time. Doesn't really matter who is suing who, and why. The patent system is garbage and the lawyers just keep getting richer. It all needs to change.

This is the only one Google has initiated though, correct me if I'm wrong?

I agree though that the patent system in the US needs to be changed and that everyone sues everyone else.

[NoLiMiT06]

Boomshakalaka!!!! :shiftyninja:

[Raa]

Oh I see, Apple can dish it out, but can't take it?

[Boz]

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission, members of Congress and Microsoft Corp. have filed papers supporting Apple?s argument that import bans should not be imposed on such patents. Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile-phone service provider, and No. 2 AT&T Inc. filed papers making similar arguments. Verizon Wireless, jointly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group Plc, also said an import ban on the iPhone ?would hamper technological development, strand critical infrastructure investment and cost American jobs.?

So basically, when Microsoft and Apple do it to other companies that's A OK but when they feel they are going to get whooped they cry how important they are to US economy. Cry me a river. I hope Google succeeds, I'm sick and tired of their disgusting tactics. Google is absolutely in the right here. They need to be taught a lesson and this is purely response to Apple's and Microsoft's dirty play that has been going on for a while now.

[Boz]

Btw.. this is important to note since it hasn't been noted:

PDATE: Bloomberg is theorizing that due to a review of a previous ruling, Apple could face a ban on importing iPhones and iPads, but Google is not filing an injunction at this time.

[+Matthew S. Subscriber²]

Box of the SERVICE PROVIDERS are siding with Apple NOT Google. And no Google is NOT in the right. The patent on 3G/LTE/whatever Should. Not. Exist. Ever.

[Ryoken]

They all end up asking for import bans.. the reason is not that they think it will happen, but because the court that handles them moves faster than the standard courts for patent infringement and the like.. so by doing it they speed everything up.. going the normal rout, by the time the case would be settled, the products in it would already be replaced by new ones..

[rafter109]

Box of the SERVICE PROVIDERS are siding with Apple NOT Google. And no Google is NOT in the right. The patent on 3G/LTE/whatever Should. Not. Exist. Ever.

So Motorola was supposed to just provide millions of dollars in R&D to further wireless communications and not be justly compensated for their troubles? This sort of attitude is exactly why Canada has never been and never will be a major world economic power, always wanting something for free and never significantly contributing to further the cause. Buncha tree hugging communist hippies eh?

[techbeck]

Really getting tired of all of this. Companies need to spend more time improving their products and treating their customers better. Seems like there is a new lawsuit every week. Who is next???

[Boz]

Box of the SERVICE PROVIDERS are siding with Apple NOT Google. And no Google is NOT in the right. The patent on 3G/LTE/whatever Should. Not. Exist. Ever.

Neither should swipe to unlock or any of the BS patents Apple uses to prevent competition. You could argue that 3D/LTE whatever patents are actually patents that are worth far more than swipe to unlock. Furthermore Apple went into the smartphone game KNOWING they were infringing on these patents.

So Apple wanted to play this game. Well, welcome to the thermo-nuclear war. And Verizon and Microsoft are siding with Apple because Microsoft has financial interests in Apple as well as their own patent injunctions to worry about. Verizon is just doing it because they make money off iPhone. I am glad that Google is finally firing back. We've all had enough of Apple.

Sorry, but this is what happens when you want to play that game. Don't cry like a little bitch when you lose at the game you started (not you but Apple)

And don't worry.. US justice system is corrupt beyond means. They will not allow cash cow like Apple to get banned. If Apple gets injuction and iPhone and iPad gets banned, then the system actually works as Apple has successfully banned multiple products so far but I will be shocked if this ban goes through because nobody cares about competition and fair market, they care about money. The point of the law is that it applies to everyone equally and not selectively.

Software patents and patents like Apple's should be completely dismissed. This is why nobody can make new operating systems and other things because they will be destroyed by these patents.

So hopefully this raises the question of completely doing away with patents.

[Dan~]

Argh I hate this! A company knows another company has a MUCH better product, then they try to stop it through legal stuff.

Make something better and man up Google, It's also unprofessional to be scared!

[Boz]

Argh I hate this! A company knows aotehr company has a MUCH better product, then they try to stop it through legal stuff.

Make something better and man up Google

Um, unlike "swipe to unlock" and contextual tap patent along other nonsensical patents Apple is pursuing and has successfully caused havoc on tech industry, 3G patent in question is something that no other phone can work without on celular network. It has nothing to do with an actual product Google builds. Actually it's the opposite. Apple has been raising injunctions left and right EXACTLY because Google makes a better OS and Samsung and HTC among others make better hardware and have been taking their market they hoped they would dominate based on their lock-in factor.

[Miuku.]

So Motorola was supposed to just provide millions of dollars in R&D to further wireless communications and not be justly compensated for their troubles? This sort of attitude is exactly why Canada has never been and never will be a major world economic power, always wanting something for free and never significantly contributing to further the cause. Buncha tree hugging communist hippies eh?

You might want to check out the number of patents from foreign companies that have been pending in the US patents office that were "magically" re-invented in the US and denied a patent or delayed long enough for it not to matter any more.

[remixedcat]

Really getting tired of all of this. Companies need to spend more time improving their products and treating their customers better. Seems like there is a new lawsuit every week. Who is next???

This

[.Neo]

Really getting tired of all of this. Companies need to spend more time improving their products and treating their customers better. Seems like there is a new lawsuit every week. Who is next???

Where will all the entertainment come from? :p

[neo158]

Where will all the entertainment come from? :p

You'll have to entertain yourself some other way!!! :p

[.Neo]

You'll have to entertain yourself some other way!!! :p

I prefer to be entertained! :p

[Astra.Xtreme]

Um, unlike "swipe to unlock" and contextual tap patent along other nonsensical patents Apple is pursuing and has successfully caused havoc on tech industry, 3G patent in question is something that no other phone can work without on celular network. It has nothing to do with an actual product Google builds. Actually it's the opposite. Apple has been raising injunctions left and right EXACTLY because Google makes a better OS and Samsung and HTC among others make better hardware and have been taking their market they hoped they would dominate based on their lock-in factor.

Delusional much? You simply don't have a clue...

[techbeck]

Where will all the entertainment come from? :p

I am sure something else will come along to keep people entertained. And there are always strip clubs and booze to keep you entertained as well. :p

[simplezz]

So basically, when Microsoft and Apple do it to other companies that's A OK but when they feel they are going to get whooped they cry how important they are to US economy. Cry me a river. I hope Google succeeds, I'm sick and tired of their disgusting tactics. Google is absolutely in the right here. They need to be taught a lesson and this is purely response to Apple's and Microsoft's dirty play that has been going on for a while now.

This is the reality of it. But Apple and Microsoft fanboys just don't want to face the truth that their beloved companies started all this and now that they risk losing money they cry foul and complain of anti-competitive tactics. Hypocrisy is an apt description of Apple and Microsoft's responses.

[Growled Member]

You might want to check out the number of patents from foreign companies that have been pending in the US patents office that were "magically" re-invented in the US and denied a patent or delayed long enough for it not to matter any more.

I am not doubting your word but do you have any evidence of this?