Lawsuit

ITC judge finds Apple’s products in violation of Motorola Wi-Fi patent

Cody Lee ∙ April 25, 2012

Thomas Pender, of the International Trade Commission, passed down a ruling yesterday that could have some serious ramifications for Apple if the cards fall just right. Bloomberg reports that the ITC judge found the iPad-makers to be in violation of one of Motorola's patents.

Motorola was actually suing Apple over four patents, so the fact that Apple was only found to be in violation of one is a victory in itself. But the patent it is being charged with infringing upon, an invention involving Wi-Fi, is a pretty crucial component for iOS devices...

Tim Cook speaks out on Apple’s patent battles

Cody Lee ∙ April 24, 2012

Along with making announcements regarding its quarterly performance, Apple also uses its financial earnings calls to offer analysts a chance to ask questions. After all, these are the folks that have to essentially guess how Apple will fair over the next few months.

On today's call, there was one particular question that was both interesting and relevant: "In terms of flexibility in cash and providing more color, how should we think about opportunities regarding patent disputes? Any thoughts about settling vs ongoing litigation?

And here's how Tim Cook responded...

Government officials say Proview owns iPad trademark as court mediates a settlement

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

The rights to use the iPad moniker in the 1.33 billion people market of China belong to the bankrupt display maker Proview, a Chinese government official told Reuters this morning.

The official quote indicates that Chinese government is very much interested in helping Proview prevail by gently pushing Apple into a court-moderated mediation leading to a possible settlement.

The mediation was first hinted by IDG News Service last week. Should Apple continue its court fight with Proview to lose the case, it could face a big fine plus a country-wide ban on iPad sales in China...

Talks are underway to settle iPad trademark dispute in China

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 20, 2012

Apple is in talks with bankrupt display maker Proview of China over the iPad trademark dispute that has delayed the launch of the third-generation tablet in the 1.33 billion people market, a new report out today alleges.

The two parties have reportedly entered a voluntary mediation procedure that could lead to negotiations over a possible settlement.

If no deal is reached, the higher court will have to make a ruling and the severe consequences for Apple, should it loose the case, could include a hefty fine and a country-wide ban on iPad sales in China...

Apple and Samsung bosses meeting for patent settlement talks in San Francisco

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 17, 2012

The rumors were true! It looks like Apple and Samsung could at last settle their complicated legal dealings. This is official: a joint statement before the court has it that Apple CEO Tim Cook and Samsung Vice Chairman and CEO Gee-Sung Choi will met at a San Francisco court for settlement talks within the next 90 days.

What looked like a pipedream could become a reality, provided the two sides that are embroiled in complicated litigation agree to concessions for the greater good.

Here's to the hoping we will soon put this meaningless patent mess behind us and move on to real news.

Apple struggles to reach deal with Australian government over 4G iPad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Last month, word got out that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was looking to go after Apple over the name of its wireless iPad model: iPad Wi-Fi + 4G. Soon after that, a handful of other countries joined them.

You see, folks are getting upset because Apple's LTE tablet doesn't actually use LTE in any countries outside of the US and Canada. So they want Apple to change its name. And Apple met with the ACCC this morning to talk about it...

Court upholds ban on iCloud push email in Germany

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Earlier this year, a German court slapped Apple with an injunction, forcing the company to disable iCloud's push email service in the country. The move was the direct result of a Motorola lawsuit, who claimed Apple was using its patented technology in the feature.

Well things got worse today for the iPad-makers. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that a German regional court has upheld the previous decision of the ban on Apple's iCloud service, essentially granting Motorola a victory in the ongoing patent war...

Apple: we broke Amazon’s monopolistic grip on the publishing industry

Sébastien Page ∙ April 12, 2012

Almost 48 hours after the US Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and five publishers over alleged ebooks price fixing, Apple decided to break the silence and go on the record about the situation.

In a comment made to AllThingsD, Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr defends the company's position, claiming the following:

Antitrust experts say DOJ likely to lose eBook case against Apple

Cody Lee ∙ April 12, 2012

Apple has been grabbing a lot of headlines over the past couple of days, and not because of poor factory working conditions or the announcement of a new gadget. The Cupertino company is being sued by the Department of Justice over alleged eBook price-fixing.

The DOJ believes that Apple is acting in concert with several major publishers to raise eBook prices across the industry with its 'agency' pricing model. But there's just one problem: experts don't think the government has much of a case...

DOJ files antitrust lawsuit against Apple, five publishers for alleged price fixing

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 11, 2012

As expected, the United States Department of Justice has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and five major book publishers over an alleged price fixing related to digital books. Three publishers are reportedly close to settling with Uncle Sam in order to dodge costly and lengthy litigation and avoid risking potentially high damages.

However, Apple and two other publishers are not willing to cut a deal with the government and are said to be gearing up for a fight with the U.S. Justice Department in court, if necessary...

DOJ could sue Apple as early as Wednesday over eBook pricing

Cody Lee ∙ April 10, 2012

Reuters is reporting tonight that the US Department of Justice could file a lawsuit against Apple as early as tomorrow morning over its iBook Store. The store utilizes an 'agency' model, which allows publishers to name their own eBook prices.

The DOJ believes that Apple is acting in concert with a number of publishers, who have recently raised their eBook prices across multiple platforms, to raise prices across the industry — which happens to be a violation of federal antirust laws...

Apple reportedly reaches settlement over search for iPhone 4S prototype

Cody Lee ∙ April 5, 2012

In the months leading up to the iPhone 4S launch, Apple lost a prototype of the handset. It seemed like it was going to be the iPhone 4/Gizmodo debacle all over again, but no pictures or other evidence ever surfaced.

Apple took some heat over the way it handled its search for the device, allegedly raiding the home of Sergio Calderon with a team of police officers. In fact, Sergio threatened to file a lawsuit against the company unless a settlement was reached.

Well here we are, more than 6 months later, and no lawsuit has been filed...