HTC Exploring ‘Alternative Solutions’ After Device Ban In UK

Earlier today we reported that Nokia scored a win in a patent lawsuit against HTC in the UK. Justice Arnold of the England and Wales High Court ordered an injunction against HTC, found to have violated Nokia’s EP0998024 patent on “modular structure for a transmitter and a mobile station.” As a result of this order, the HTC One Mini has been banned from being sold in the UK, the ban goes in effect on December 6th. HTC has responded to this development, the company says its working with its chip suppliers to “explore alternative solutions.”

The company also said that it is pleased with the court for staying an injunction against certain chipsets, including those found in the HTC One. Due to the stay, HTC’s flagship smartphone has currently not been banned from being sold in the UK. The company has filed an urgent application to appeal, so until that plays out, the validity of stay on the injunction depends upon what the outcome of HTC’s appeal is. HTC says its primary focus is to ensure “minimal disruption” to customers and its business, and it assures customers that the HTC One handset will be available in the UK as usual. With the precarious financial situation the Taiwanese manufacturer is in, it really can’t afford to have its flagship smartphone banned from a lucrative market like the UK.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: HTC, HTC One (M7), HTC One mini