Patent dispute over Android: Talks between Apple and Google


In the patent war in the mobile industry to defeat the process of Samsung in the U.S. is a little movement. Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Larry Page, according to U.S. media reports have spoken on the phone about the bitter conflict. They are the central figures in the patent dispute. Apple does with his complaints but so far to individual manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola and HTC. However, as the target is behind the Google Android operating system, which surpassed iOS in the smartphone market, and now with over 60 percent at the top.

Cook and Page had phoned last week, the financial news agency Bloomberg reported Thursday. And it was expected that they talk to each other again soon. Also for the Wall Street Journal blog All Things D belonging wrote, citing initiated persons of high level talks.

What exactly Cook and Page discussed was not known. Spokesman for the company would not comment. An out of court is widespread, especially in such a complicated process as for patents. Otherwise there is a year-long court marathon.


Apple had in the conflict last won the upper hand. California jury had ruled last week that several units of the South Korean rivals Samsung and Android partner patents and designs (design patents) Apple injured. Only with a design patent for the iPad could prevail not Apple. Apple was awarded by the jury around 1.05 billion dollars in damages. Samsung's stock plunged from then to 7 percent.

Even if the decision to be confirmed by a judge must, the verdict of the jury was considered a wake-up call for Google. The Internet company is doubly affected, even if he was not sued directly: First, as a developer of Android and as a new owner of the mobile phone manufacturer Motorola, Apple is also going against.

In the case of Samsung, however, it had already been several unsuccessful rounds of talks. Only the license negotiations failed in the fall of 2010 at different ideas and Apple went to court. In May, the leaders of Apple and Samsung tried to order of the court for two days to remove the differences. Shortly before the trial even in California Judge Lucy Koh made the phone companies handlebars again. A deal did not materialize. Even now Samsung will continue to fight against the jury's decision.

It has appeared from the case against Samsung, Apple requires a comprehensive license its patents on 24 dollars per phone. At the same time there are discounts and mutual settlements, the lower the price in many cases something. Samsung sold in the last quarter alone around 50 million smartphones and pays for its Android devices already license fees to Microsoft.

Apple accuses the Android partners to mimic natural design and technology of the iPhone and iPad. The Android manufacturers in turn complained to Apple, all over the world walk dozens process. Also in Germany, the courts deal with the dispute.

No comments:

Post a Comment