5G Technology World

  • 5G Technology and Engineering
  • FAQs
  • Apps
  • Devices
  • IoT
  • RF
  • Radar
  • Wireless Design
  • Learn
    • 5G Videos
    • Ebooks
    • EE Training Days
    • FAQs
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars/Digital Events
  • Handbooks
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
  • Resources
    • Design Guide Library
    • EE World Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • Engineering Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Google Gives HTC Patent Ammo in Apple Suit

By Staff Author | September 8, 2011

Google is working behind the scenes to protect its Android platform from patent lawsuits.

The Internet search giant sold nine patents to HTC last week to help the handset manufacturer defend itself in an ongoing patent battle with Apple, according to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office records first obtained by Bloomberg.

HTC cited the patents in an amended complaint filed Tuesday with a Delaware district court.

Google reportedly bought the patents less than a year ago from Motorola, Openwave and Palm.

Google and HTC could not be immediately reached for comment.

The added intellectual property will give HTC additional ammunition against Apple, which is suing the company on multiple fronts over its Android-based smartphones and tablets. Apple alleges HTC’s devices violate several of its patents on wireless technology. HTC is contesting the charges and has filed countersuits against Apple.

The companies’ patent war spans multiple courts, including the International Trade Commission.

Google has struggled to defend Android against an onslaught of patent suits from its competitors, namely Apple and Microsoft. The company has alleged that is rivals are using patents to wage a “hostile, organized campaign against Android.”

“Android’s success has yielded something else: a hostile, organized campaign against Android by Microsoft, Oracle, Apple and other companies, waged through bogus patents,” Google chief legal officer David Drummond said in a post on the company’s official blog earlier this summer.

Google attempted to shore up its patent rights with a bid on Nortel’s intellectual property portfolio, but was ultimately outbid by a group of tech companies including Apple and Microsoft. The failed Nortel bid spurred Google’s $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility this summer. Motorola holds 17,000 patents and 7,500 pending patent applications worldwide.

HTC has also snapped up patents in an effort to defend itself in court. In July, the company agreed to pay $300 million for S3 Graphics, which holds 235 patents and patent applications.

Related Articles Read More >

High-directivity couplers optimized for 225 – 750 MHz applications
Integrated into IoT devices, iSIM poised to make inroads
Triple-radio and multiprotocol MCUs add application processors
5G vectors
How RedCap fits into 5G and IoT

Featured Contributions

  • Overcome Open RAN test and certification challenges
  • Wireless engineers need AI to build networks
  • Why AI chips need PCIe 7.0 IP interconnects
  • circuit board timing How timing and synchronization improve 5G spectrum efficiency
  • Wi-Fi 7 and 5G for FWA need testing
More Featured Contributions

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: Internet of Things
Explore practical strategies for minimizing attack surfaces, managing memory efficiently, and securing firmware. Download now to ensure your IoT implementations remain secure, efficient, and future-ready.

EE LEARNING CENTER

EE Learning Center
“5g
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

Engineering Training Days

engineering
“bills
5G Technology World
  • Enews Signup
  • EE World Online
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Analogic Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • Engineer’s Garage
  • EV Engineering
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy

Search 5G Technology World