US judge rules in favour of Apple in patent dispute with HTC

First blood to Apple: The Taiwanese handset manufacturer HTC Corp infringed on two of Apple’s patents, a trade panel judge in the US has decided in a preliminary ruling.

According to this decision, those producing Android handset might find themselves on the receiving end of licence fee claims from Apple. More importantly, Apple could also have the chance to demand an import ban to the US against HTC products. The judge’s decision is yet to be fully ratified, and HTC have said they would appeal the decision.

Apple have pointed out that Android uses technology similar to that covered by two US patents it filed in the 1990s.

The battle for patent rights is becoming increasingly bloody, with companies suing and counter-suing each other over alleged infringements. Apple has filed a complaint against competitor Samsung Electronics (which also uses the Android OS), and HTC is allegedly already paying Microsoft a licence fee of $5 for every handset sold, after the latter company pointed out an infringement of some of its patents, according to The Guardian.

The ruling by an International Trade Commission judge is preliminary, but marks a first decision in Apple’s litigation against other smartphone manufacturers who use Android.

Image credit: Yutaka Tsutano