Law

Apple Files Response to Samsung’s Request to See the Next iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ June 15, 2011

Now that the Nokia and Apple dispute has been settled, the tech world can turn its attention back to the Samsung "copycat case." Apple filed the lawsuit back in April of this year, claiming that Samsung copied several iDevice design elements in their products.

The Cupertino company submitted another filing shortly after that, asking to see some of Samsung's upcoming products in relation to the complaint. In turn, Samsung likewise submitted a Motion to Compel, asking to see Apple's new iPad 3 and iPhone 5 models. How did Steve Jobs and company respond?

Apple’s Battle for App Store Trademark Continues

Cody Lee ∙ June 11, 2011

One thing is certain in the tech industry: If you ever become more successful than others feel you should be, you become an instant target for a lawsuit. And with the way some companies are performing right now, patent and trademark law seems to be a safe bet for a business.

A particular case that has been highlighted recently is the court battle between Apple and Amazon. While the Cupertino company is known for their fierce legal team, they may have a tough time proving that the term "App Store," is solely their property...

Apple Files Motion to Intervene in Lodsys Litigation

Cody Lee ∙ June 10, 2011

When Lodsys originally filed their complaints last month, everyone looked at Apple for answers. Though the Cupertino company has been relatively quiet concerning the Lodsys litigation, their legal department is finally starting to make some noise.

iOS developers have been holding vigilant to see if Apple would step up and help them defend against the threats from the patent licensing firm. After a cease and desist letter failed to stop the lawsuits, Apple has decided to get legally involved...

Apple Changes App Store Submission Guidelines, No More DUI Apps

Cody Lee ∙ June 8, 2011

Last month, Apple's VP of software technology, Bud Tribble, participated in a U.S. Senate hearing on mobile privacy. Although the conference was focused on consumer location tracking, at one point the conversation turned to Apple's App Store policies.

The senate expressed their disappointment with the Cupertino company for allowing applications like Fuzz Alert in their App Store, and gave Apple a month to do something about it...

Samsung Boss Weighs in on Apple Copycat Lawsuit

Cody Lee ∙ May 30, 2011

Over a month ago we started covering the legal battle between Apple and Samsung. The Cupertino company filed a trademark infringement suit against Samsung, claiming that the Korean company copied the hardware and software design of some of their mobile products.

Since then, Samsung has counter-sued the iPhone makers, also citing patent infringement. Now that the 2 companies have played 'if you show me yours, I'll show you mine' for the past week, Samsung's J.K. Shin tells the WSJ his thoughts on the lawsuit...

Lodsys Threatens iOS Developers Over In-App Patent Dispute

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 13, 2019

In-app purchasing has had kind of a rocky go of it since Apple announced the feature in late 2009. It was the reason behind multiple lawsuits and was even rumored to be investigated by members of the FCC.

Well it appears that its legal troubles aren't over just yet, but this time it's not angry parents threatening with legal action. This time it's a small license-toting company that says that in-app purchasing infringes on one of their patents...

Apple Reviewing DUI Checkpoint Apps

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Yesterday, Apple testified in a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing on mobile privacy. Senator Al Franken called the Senators, as well as both Apple and Google, to talk about mobile privacy in wake of the recent cell phone tracking panic.

While Apple was pressed hard by the panel on the recently exposed tracking file, they were also questioned on their App Store submission policy. Typically, the Cupertino company is criticized for their app entry policy being too strict, but not this time...

Apple Testifies at Mobile Privacy Hearing

Cody Lee ∙ May 10, 2011

Ever since the location bug was revealed in iOS, mobile privacy has been garnering a lot of attention. So much attention in fact, that Apple has been called to participate in a U.S. Senate panel discussion on the topic, courtesy of Al Franken.

If you haven't heard by now, Apple vice president Bud Tribble was sent by the Cupertino company to the hearing to set the record straight about location tracking in iOS. Not only has Apple corrected the location bug, they are apparently taking further steps to protect their user's privacy...

Samsung Counter-Sues Apple with 10 Patent Infringement Claims

Guest Author ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

On April 16th, Apple filed a trademark infringement suit against Samsung with the U.S. District Court in North California. If you thought Samsung was just going to stand around, you thought wrong.

Apple originally filed a lawsuit against Samsung because it claimed Samsung's Galaxy S Android smartphones and new Galaxy Tab tablet violate Apple's intellectual property rights in regards to hardware design and user interface. Samsung last week returned the favor and counter-sued Apple, claiming that it has infringed 10 of its patents that have to do with "fundamental innovations that increase mobile device reliability, efficiency, and quality, and improve user interface in mobile handsets and other products".

Samsung now filed another lawsuit against Apple in the U.S.

First Lawsuit Filed For iPhone Location-Tracking Debacle

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

I had a feeling this was coming. The very first lawsuit has been filed against Apple for the highly controversial tracking of location data from the iPhone and iPad.

According to Bloomberg, a lawsuit was filed against Apple on April 22nd in Tampa, Florida, at a federal court by iPhone user, Vikram Ajjampur, and iPad user, William Devito. The two iDevice users claim that Apple has been surreptitiously tracking the location of iPhone and iPad owners.

They claim to have filed the lawsuit in an effort to stop the alleged data collection by Apple.

Federal Grand Jury Investigates Information Sharing Processes in iOS Apps

Cody Lee ∙ April 5, 2011

For once, it's not Apple facing litigation, but developers of apps in its popular App Store. BGR reported yesterday that New Jersey Federal Prosecutors are starting to get serious about their investigation with popular smartphone applications. The inquisition is looking to determine whether some app developers are in breach of Federal Law.

The post claims that a criminal investigation is underway by a federal grand jury on certain mobile applications. These apps are suspected of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act with their methods of collecting and transmitting user's personal data...

Police Interview Steve Jobs About Stolen iPhone

Guest Author ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

This is one of my favorite conspiracy theories. Back in March, Apple reported that an employee of theirs was drinking in the bar and lost the most recent prototype of what would be the iPhone 4. Talk about a buzz kill. Or was it?

I maintained that Apple purposely dropped the device to generate months of buzz leading up to the phone being released. That's exactly what ended up happening. Now CNET reports that the police connected to the case have interviewed numerous Apple employees, including Steve Jobs...