VIA Technologies Files Patent Lawsuit Against Apple Over iOS Device Processors - MacRumors
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VIA Technologies Files Patent Lawsuit Against Apple Over iOS Device Processors

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via technologies logoBloomberg reports that Taiwanese company VIA Technologies has filed a patent lawsuit against Apple, alleging infringement by the processors used in Apple's mobile devices.

Via, a semiconductor maker based in Taipei, seeks a jury trial and an order to prohibit Cupertino, California-based Apple from selling products containing the inventions in the U.S., according to a complaint filed yesterday in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware.

“The products at issue generally concern microprocessors included in a variety of electronic products such as certain smartphones, tablet computers, portable media players and other computing devices,” Via said in the complaint.

The patent lawsuit is clearly targeting Apple's custom ARM-based A4 and A5 processors used in its recent iOS devices, as the filings name the following devices as being addressed by the complaint: iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 4, iPhone 4 CDMA, iPod touch 4th generation, and Apple TV 2nd generation.

VIA had previously been part of a joint venture behind S3 Graphics, which won a U.S. International Trade Commission judgment against Apple several months ago in a separate complaint, but sold the company to HTC just days after that victory.

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Top Rated Comments

Dr McKay Avatar
Dr McKay
194 months ago
Everyone wants a piece of the Apple pie, now that Apple's changed the game (several times) and the also-rans are struggling in key markets because they just can't capture consumer interest like Apple can.

Except Apple didn't do it by strong-arming.

They didn't do it by anti-competitive activity that landed them a conviction.

They didn't do it by compulsion, duress, or brute force.

They did it by creating great products, by actually giving a damn about what they put their name to, and by following this guy's vision:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaJp66ArJVI

It's that simple. And the surprising (or not so surprising) thing is, is that the also-rans still haven't figured it out, well over a decade later.
Everyone has patents on everyone else, Apple has gone on the offensive, probably forcing a dozen companies hands with preemptive lawsuits incase Apple digs up some antique patent them.

Please tell me this, why is it when Apple is suing, they are the Noble Knight in shining Armour, defending their hard worked ideas and inventions. But when someone sues Apple, its the company:


* Being greedy
* Doing it because they're scared of Apple
* Patent Trolling
* It's must be their only source of income
* They want a piece of "Apples Pie"


And no, I will not accept "But, but Apple revolutionized xxxxx and yyyyy. This makes them above the law"
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D
dannyminick
194 months ago
Funny how just last week the CEO of VIA and his wife, who is the CEO of HTC were shopping at an Apple Store.

Now lawsuit?

LOL:apple:
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
skellener Avatar
skellener
194 months ago
I think it's time to change the site name to MacOSLawsuits.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K
kenypowa
194 months ago
What comes around goes around. Apple is merely getting a taste of its own medicine.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
jayducharme
194 months ago
I think everyone should simply stop making or selling anything. Then all the patent disputes would dry up.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D4F Avatar
D4F
194 months ago
Everyone has patents on everyone else, Apple has gone on the offensive, probably forcing a dozen companies hands with preemptive lawsuits incase Apple digs up some antique patent them.

Please tell me this, why is it when Apple is suing, they are the Noble Knight in shining Armour, defending their hard worked ideas and inventions. But when someone sues Apple, its the company:


* Being greedy
* Doing it because they're scared of Apple
* Patent Trolling
* It's must be their only source of income
* They want a piece of "Apples Pie"


And no, I will not accept "But, but Apple revolutionized xxxxx and yyyyy. This makes them above the law"

LTD is on Apple payroll so what you expect??
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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