Google responds to Apple's HTC lawsuit: 'We stand behind our Android operating system'

We were wondering when Google would have something to say about Apple's patent lawsuit against HTC, since the majority of the claims appear to implicate Android itself, and while the knives aren't out yet, we just got a short-but-sweet statement from a spokesperson:

"We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it."

We're quite curious to see whether this means Google will contribute money and/or manpower to HTC's legal defense -- we'd bet we'll see some of Eric Schmidt's crew at the table when this thing finally hits a courtroom. In related news, HTC 's posted up a short, more formal version of the statement we received yesterday, saying that it "believes that consumer choice is a key component to success in the smartphone industry," and that it doesn't think the suit "poses a short-term material impact to its business." That makes sense, seeing as it'll be weeks before HTC even files a response to the suit, and months -- if not years -- before it's resolved. We'll see how it goes.

[Col Forbin Posted Mar 5th 2010 2:02PM]

@flanders

Ok... Can you show me swipe to unlock that pre dates the iPhone?

I dont think you understand what is patentable. using your logic, no one can patent anything that USES the patented invention of batteries.

i dont get your last sentence? are you mad that Apple doesn't market or make products that fit for you? or does your comment just mean you think its uncool to advertise to a younger demographic? i think most shareholders couldn't care less what Flanders thinks is cool, and Apple has 40 billion to show for it.

[flanders Posted Mar 5th 2010 3:02PM]

@Col Forbin
Swipe to unlock MAY be the only original patent idea that they can defend amongst the 20. However, like I said, I don't use it on my Droid. Nor do I care to use it. Furthermore, swipe to unlock, is that such an amazing innovation? You drag your finger across the screen to navigate through screens, emails, text threads, web pages, documents, etc. The fact that they used the motion to unlock the phone is hardly what I would call an earth-shattering innovation that requires the genius of Einstein, Tesla, or DaVinci! Swipe to unlock is hardly revolutionary. As far as my last comment, I think that's the thing that scares them most. Youths and hipsters, are easily swayed by trends. Something cooler is always coming out, in this case Android, and a lot of people are turning their attention that way. So what is Apple to do? File frivolous patent lawsuits to keep them from selling phones.

[vkelman Posted Mar 5th 2010 4:02PM]

I really hope Google will play an active role in HTC defense. I believe it's very much in Google's own interests, not only in interests of consumers and HTC.