Apple: HTC has “stolen our technology”

Apple has filed a lawsuit against smartphone maker HTC, saying that it has infringed 20 of its patents.

Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, said that the action has been taken to protect his company. “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,” he said. “We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours.”

The patents are said to relate to the iPhone’s user interface, underlying architecture and hardware, although Apple has so far declined to comment on the specifics.

As well as manufacturing its own smartphones, HTC also makes handsets for third parties, such as Google’s Nexus One. HTC was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

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

Apple is no stranger to patent disputes. In October last year, Nokia sued Apple, claiming that the iPhone and the iPod touch infringed upon ten of its patents.

Apple followed this by countersuing Nokia in December, accusing the Scandinavian smartphone manufacturer of anti-competitive behaviour.

It is thought that the Nokia holds the largest patent portfolio in the mobile sector, and has entered into patent agreements with approximately 40 companies, although Apple is not among them.

In response to the suit, a spokesperson from HTC said: HTC values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations. HTC only learned of Apple’s actions this morning via media reports, and therefore we have not yet had the opportunity to investigate the filings. Until we have had this opportunity, we are unable to comment on the validity of the claims being made against HTC.”