Google supports HTC in legal battles

Intellectual property has certainly gotten a whole lot more valuable in recent memory with patents being filed left and right by companies who are out to protect their inventions. We all know that Samsung and Apple have no love lost between them (especially in Europe), and in the US, Verizon and T-Mobile have voiced out their opinions that should Apple actually emerge victorious in their current lawsuits against Samsung, there are plenty of negative repercussions in the industry – both the business and consumers would be affected. Google has now stepped into the fray, where they filed paperwork with the United States International Trade Commission by stating their stand on how an Apple victory in the HTC suit might just take a bite out of the cellphone industry.

Apple is the largest seller of mobile computing devices in the U.S. Allowing this supplier to eliminate the competition from a fast-moving maverick competitor (HTC) could drive up prices, diminish service, decrease consumers’ access to the technology and reduce innovation.

Google claims that HTC is just one of the many manufacturers who are doing their bit to “prevent Apple’s iOS from becoming the sole viable mobile platform.” If HTC’s devices end up being banned by the ITC, Apple might end up with a near monopoly of the smartphone market. Expect a ruling to be announced on December 6, where hopefully, it would be a pleasant Christmas present for HTC.

Edwin Kee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Apple Inc, Google, HTC, lawsuit