H-T-C, Taiwan's leading smart phone maker, says it's too early to say whether
a lawsuit filed by U.S.-based Apple alleging patent infringement will have a
material impact on the company's operations.
The company's spokesman has confirmed that Apple accused H-T-C of violating
20 patents in total, but declined to say which of their handset models use
these patents.
Apple's complaint covers the touch-screen control, hardware and software, and
seeks to block H-T-C from exporting mobile phones -- many of which run on
Google’s Android mobile operating system -- from Taiwan to the U.S.
The lawsuit was filed concurrently with the U.S. International Trade
Commission and in U.S. District Court in Delaware.
Some analysts say Apple’s lawsuit represents the latest salvo in an
escalating battle for control over smart phones.
Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, said in a statement, "We can sit by and watch
competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it.
We've decided to do something about it."
