New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Apple and HTC Settle Patent Dispute, Agree to Ten Year License

Saturday November 10, 2012 5:05 pm PST by Arnold Kim

Apple has posted a press release tonight, announcing that Apple and HTC have reached a global settlement on their patent dispute. The agreement has resulted in a ten-year patent licensing agreement between the companies and the dismissal of all current lawsuits. The press release includes quotes from HTC's and Apple's CEOs:
“HTC is pleased to have resolved its dispute with Apple, so HTC can focus on innovation instead of litigation,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC.

“We are glad to have reached a settlement with HTC,” said Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. “We will continue to stay laser focused on product innovation.”
The license extends to current and future patents held by both parties. The terms of the settlement are confidential.

Apple first filed a lawsuit against HTC in March, 2010. Apple had alleged that HTC had infringed on 20 iPhone-related patents. HTC had been a prominent player in the Android market at the time, and also represented Google's manufacturing partner for the Nexus One.

HTC had subsequently countersued Apple in 2011 and claimed that Apple had infringed on several of HTC's patents with the Mac, iPhone and iPad products.

Apple and HTC have been exchanging legal blows over the past two years with product bans and legal fees that were rumored to top $100 million. Apple recently won another high profile patent dispute in the U.S. against Samsung with a $1 billion verdict in favor of Apple.

[ 252 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
econgeek
88 months ago
Apple offered to settle with samsung, several years ago. Samsung refused, which is why they went to court.

Apple offered to settle with HTC, and Apple and HTC came to terms.

Apple is not being unreasonable... it is Samsung, and Google, and motorola who are being unreasonable.

Because they think they are too big to be convicted of stealing.
Rating: 40 Votes
Avatar
Nebrie
88 months ago
HTC's current phones are innovative and look nothing like Apple products anymore. Samsung just started shipping off a bunch of Macbook Air and Mac Mini knockoffs. Also, Samsung is now HTC's biggest enemy. The enemy of my enemy is my friendemy.
Rating: 32 Votes
Avatar
3282868
88 months ago

I don't believe you were ever "Wowed" and I think you've been an apple hater since you first bought some other product and regretted it when you realized Apple's product was better.

I think it's astounding that apple haters think we're so stupid as to fall for lies like the ones you're telling. It's really pretty obvious.


Ok So my decade+ of using Apple products since grad school and now work is a figment of your imagination?

I own a 12-Core Mac Pro, 2 24" LED LCD's, an iPad, every iPhone incarnation, and am writing on a MacBook Air. I used to WORK for Apple Corp., but I suppose someone who can objectively critique a company they value must be a "troll" (I loathe that term and as a 35 year old man, 36 tomorrow, hate that I have to use such a childish term in response to an immature post).

Blind infatuation will yield to stagnation, however objectively stating "I don't agree with said product or such act" and voting with your dollars will get a company's attention. Take a look at Apple stock, maybe a hiccup, maybe not. Regardless, I hope it wakes them up a bit to innovate more. I'm glad Forstall is gone, and thrilled Browett is as well; that duo would have walked Apple down a dark path (Johnson was/is amazing in retail, shame Apple lost him to Penny's).

(PS if I really hated Apple as you claim, why would I donate annually to a site dedicated to Apple products? I guess I really must hate Apple ;) )
Rating: 25 Votes
Avatar
ftaok
88 months ago
I'm kinda thinking that Apple settled because they no longer feel that HTC is a threat or relevant. Don't expect any settlements wit Sammy.
Rating: 22 Votes
Avatar
turtlez
88 months ago
Samesung need to learn from this!
Rating: 18 Votes
Avatar
econgeek
88 months ago

The last time I was "wowed" by Apple was in 2006/7 with the iPhone. Riding the iWave is getting tired.


I don't believe you were ever "Wowed" and I think you've been an apple hater since you first bought some other product and regretted it when you realized Apple's product was better.

I think it's astounding that apple haters think we're so stupid as to fall for lies like the ones you're telling. It's really pretty obvious.
Rating: 16 Votes
Avatar
wonderspark
88 months ago
Wow, this makes me very pleased. Let this be the first of many such settlements, and let's all MOVE ON!
Rating: 15 Votes
Avatar
dethmaShine
88 months ago

Apple should take a page from HTC's book and follow suit with the plethora of lawsuits they have filed. Not debating authenticity of said suits, however it seems Apple is innovating less and suing more. The last time I was "wowed" by Apple was in 2006/7 with the iPhone. Riding the iWave is getting tired.


I think its ridiculous to have your trollish posts in every other thread bashing Apple for something that's not even provable; instead can be proved that Apple has been constantly innovating in almost every space possible. Just because the app launcher is stale for some doesn't mean they are not innovating.

There's no need to cite incomplete text and suggest Apple should take a page. Apple and HTC released this public response in a combined meeting. They both reached to an agreement for which the details are confidential.

----------

Ok So my decade+ of using Apple products since grad school and now work is a figment of your imagination?

I own a 12-Core Mac Pro, 2 24" LED LCD's, an iPad, every iPhone incarnation, and am writing on a MacBook Air. I used to WORK for Apple Corp., but I suppose someone who can objectively critique a company they value must be a "troll" (I loathe that term and as a 35 year old man, 36 tomorrow, hate that I have to use such a childish term in response to an immature post).

Blind infatuation will yield to draconian results, being able to objectively state "hey, I don't agree with said product or such act" and vote with your dollars that things may change.

(PS if I really hated Apple as you claim, why would I donate annually to a site dedicated to Apple products? I guess I really must hate Apple ;) )


Maybe to post BS in every other thread?
Rating: 15 Votes
Avatar
3282868
88 months ago

not even bothering


Ok you need to let it go. You seem to be very passionate towards me for some reason. If I offended you, I truly am sorry. Yet I'm too old for this internet baiting.

Respond as you wish, vote your comments up all you want, I really do not care and will not be bothering with it. :)

Take care.
Rating: 13 Votes
Avatar
dethmaShine
88 months ago

I stopped reading there. I have never written such. Please, quote. Citations. I truly would appreciate some proof. Why would I write such? The only thing I have ever written is my disappointment in Apple's professional line, i.e. their Mac Pro and displays, as I use my system(s) daily for work and leisure. I've used PowerMac's and 23"/30" CCFL LCD's before getting 2 24" models two years ago. I'm on the boat with many others wishing for Apple to update their almost three year old Mac Pro. That is it. So I don't know where this is coming from. I'm very serious. :confused:


I most certainly am frightened over Apple's dedication to pros.

I know you're probably using your Apple machines. I don't doubt that. Please. What I am trying to say that you've been constantly bashing Apple for things they don't deserve.

Not let me quote —

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=16255803#post16255803

The "iPad Mini" wasn't the biggest hit they expected. It certainly didn't flop, but Apple pushed it on its own accord and sales were lower than expectations.


That's some news.

The iMac refresh was interesting, but Apple needs to refocus on desktop systems, power and OS X.


As if they have not.

Lion and Mountain Lion have been [arguably] mediocre successes with quality (sales may state otherwise, but at such a low price and with little other options for customers, of course the iTunes Store will reflect high sales for OS X updates).


Lion was buggy. That's all. Mountain Lion has been great. Just because they didn't give you a new freakin UI doesn't mean it was mediocre. Again, notice a pattern? No reasoning; no citations. New releases are just mediocre.

Move on from lawsuits and iOS, and get back to innovating systems and OS X.


Exactly, as if their lawyers are designing their operating systems.

There are many who need power systems with upgradability, get that Mac Pro and better displayS on the market.


In a thread that has nothing to do with a Mac Pro, after all.

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=16248015#post16248015

Apple has been granted too many patents, many of which are ludicrous to state the least.

"Think Different" should be changed to "Sue Different".


And do you have the qualification for ratify those patents? Sue different?

Microsoft gets patents on UI buttons; Google gets patent on determining the position of mouse pointer on a web page; they get patents on simple trivial ad related stuff. But that's fine. Because, hey Apple gets trivial patents — so I'm only going to talk about them.

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=16208432#post16208432

He's gonna hate it when Apple releases the new iPad Mini next month.


Need more?

Now lets not drag. I've given enough evidence. That's just from the last 15 posts of yours. I could write a book.
Rating: 12 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]