Apple

Another Patent Troll Pops Up, Seeks License Deals from Apple and Others

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 18, 2018

While the Lodsys saga with Apple and its developers drudges on, another company has decided to join in the patent troll party. This time, it's an Indian-based company by the name of Kootol, and this time, they're not just going after the little guys.

FOSSPatents is reporting that Kootol has distributed a press release announcing that it has sent "notices" to a long list of companies (large and small) regarding their use of Kootol's Intellectual Property. The IP in question involves social "feeds" like you'd find in Twitter or Facebook...

Apple Looking to Kick HTC Out of Smartphone Business

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 27, 2017

Apple is looking to block sales of HTC smartphones in the US. Like the ongoing copycat lawsuit with Samsung, Apple claims that HTC infringes on several of its iPhone patents.

HTC has seen impressive growth in the last year, and the company is responsible for many of the most popular Android devices on the market right now. Apple feels that HTC owes a little respect (and by "respect" we mean money) for the allegedly infringed patents...

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?

Nokia Wins Apple Patent Dispute, Apple is Now a Nokia Licensee

Cody Lee ∙ June 14, 2011

This particular court battle between Nokia and Apple has been a doozy. Nokia originally filed suit against the Cupertino company back in 2010, citing their use of data transmission and certain antenna technologies as patent infringement.

Earlier this year, an ITC judge ruled in favor of Apple, claiming that he saw no evidence of infringement in their products. Just days after the court's decision, Nokia launched a 2nd lawsuit against the iPhone makers which appears to have been much more successful...

Patent Troll Won’t Stay In Its Cave, Lodsys Continues to Sue iOS Develepors

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

In case you haven't heard, a patent troll by the name of "Lodsys" threatened to sue App Store developers for allegedly infringing on the Lodsys patent of in-app upgrades. Apple responded by saying that Lodsys had no right to prosecute based on this patent that Apple licensed years ago.

iOS develepors were very relived that Apple stood up against Lodsys, and the assumption was that the patent troll would back off when faced with the looming, Cupertino giant. It appears that Lodsys won't take no for an answer. The patent troll has filed lawsuits against seven App Store developers...

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...

iOS Developers Joining Forces in the Event of a Lodsys Battle

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Unless you've been living in a cave for the last month, chances are you've heard of Lodsys. The patent licensing company has been sending letters to iOS developers threatening legal action. They believe that in-app purchasing infringes on a patent of theirs, and they want to get paid.

After weeks of silence, Apple finally decided to speak up on the matter. While they publicly defended their developer's rights, they have not given any indication that they would help with legal fees, should Lodsys' threats ever materialize...

The EFF Calls on Apple to Stand Up Against Patent Trolls

Cody Lee ∙ May 21, 2011

We reported last week on the appalling actions of Lodsys. The patent licensing firm has been sending out letters to iOS developers, threatening legal action if they aren't paid royalties for the use of their invention.

The company's claim that iOS apps with in-app purchasing options are infringing on their patent has been causing an uproar in the developer community. While everyone holds vigilant to see what (if anything) Apple has to say on the matter, the EFF decided to speak up yesterday...

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...

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.

Apple Sues Samsung Over iDevice Copycatting

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

The smartphone industry is filled with ongoing patent suits. From Nokia and Apple to Microsoft and Motorola, it seems like all the major players in the mobile phone industry are currently in litigation.

Typically the lawsuits seem to be a stretch from patent infringement, but I think Apple's got a real case here. Have you ever noticed that the Samsung's Galaxy line of products look an awful lot like iDevices? Apple thinks so. So much apparently that they filed a trademark infringement suit against Samsung last Friday with a U.S. District Court in North California...

Apple’s iPhone Joins a Long List of Plaintiffs in Yet Another Patent Lawsuit

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

My hat goes off to the lawyers of the tech world. How do you keep track of who's suing whom, and for what? If you're an Apple attorney, it seems like that would be extra tough.

Just like in sports, the team doing the best has the biggest target on their backs. And as of right now, there isn't anyone hotter than Apple in the portable electronics market.

Unlike sports, teams in the electronic industry don't go for the target by trying to get better; they sue you. While that was meant to be more of a joke, if you were in Cupertino's law offices right now, nobody would be laughing. Apple Insider is reporting on yet another lawsuit involving Apple and the iPhone...