Cisco sues TiVo to nullify four DVR patents, claims TiVo's just a big meanie originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It appears that the jury has come to a conclusion in the Oracle v. Google trial, determining that Android does not infringe Oracle patents. Judge William Alsup of the US District Court for Northern California exonerated the search giant following a trial that lasted three weeks, ruling that Google did not infringe on six claims in US Patent RE38,104, along two claims in US Patent 6,061,520. Jurors were dismissed following today's ruling, with the trial's damages phase reportedly set to begin on Tuesday. According to The Verge, the jury did determine that Google was responsible for two counts of minor copyright infringement, relating to the order of Java APIs and several lines of rangeCheck code, which could be matched with a maximum penalty of $150,000 for each count. Regardless, it appears that the lawsuit, which dates back to 2010, when Oracle filed against Google for copyright and patent infringement related to Sun's Java code, could finally be coming to a close.

Jury issues verdict in Android suit, finds that Google doesn't infringe Oracle patents originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Samsung design VP Chang Dong-hoon has refuted accusations that the Galaxy S III was designed "by lawyers." Responding to the reports that stated the new handset was tweaked to circumvent deliberate trade dress claims made by Cupertino in its lawsuit, he said that the redesign is part of the company's five-year plan rather than a sudden change. He went on to say that the flagship went through hundreds of iterations before the team alighted upon the model that will shortly make its way into sweaty palms all over the world.

Samsung: 'Lawyers didn't design the Galaxy S III' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The at times very heated legal battle between Apple and Samsung might be softening just a bit ahead of truce talks on May 21st. Samsung's mobile head JK Shin just left Seoul for the mediated discussions saying there were still "several negotiation options" on tap, including the possibility of cross-licensing patents. He warned that there was still a "big gap" between the two sides, and we'd tend to agree -- neither Apple nor Samsung is exactly backing off just yet. However, it's a definite shift in language from March, when Shin was vowing "no compromise," and it parallels Apple CEO Tim Cook's own disdain for lawsuits. We just wouldn't bet money on the two singing "Kumbaya" this week.

In same breath, Shin added that an ongoing 4G chipset shortage wasn't letting up: he didn't see things getting better until the start of the fourth quarter, or October for us common folk. That's a problem for Samsung's phones and tablets most of all, of course, and in a dire case could see LTE-packing American Galaxy S III variants rely on other vendors' chips to stay on the 4G bandwagon. There's also a chance of a ripple effect on other companies that want Samsung's parts, but short of getting a peek at Samsung's inner workings, we won't know the full impact for awhile yet.

Samsung chief: we're open to a cross-licensing deal with Apple, but 4G chip shortage might last until the fall originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you found yourself longing for the minor tweaks Samsung made to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany earlier this year, you may be in luck: Apple's filed for a preliminary injunction against the slate stateside. It isn't the first one, either, Cupertino filed something similar back in February, though it didn't quite pass legal muster. After gaining some headway earlier this week, Cook's crew is in for round two, according to FOSS Patents, asking for Judge Koh to rule in their favor without a new hearing. Concerned consumers, however, can sidestep the whole mess by simply opting for an injunction-exempt Galaxy Tab 2. Details and speculation can be found at the source link below, just in case you aren't already sick to death of the whole Samsung / Apple spat.

Apple files (again) for a preliminary ban against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 May 2012 02:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

At the end of last year, an Administrative Law Judge issued an initial ruling that Motorola's mobile devices infringe a bit of Microsoft's IP. Now, the Commission has affirmed that decision and issued an exclusion order to ban Moto's offending devices from importation into the US. In case you weren't aware, the four patent claims at issue generally cover technology for scheduling meetings over email using a mobile device. So, unless Motorola removes the feature, pays for a license or whips up a workaround Microsoft's patent in short order, its inbound RAZRs, Droid 4s, Bionics and other offending handsets will be stuck in customs alongside HTC's One X and EVO 4G LTE -- that is, unless Obama steps in to save the day during the prescribed presidential review period. Microsoft, naturally, is quite pleased with this development and has issued a statement:

Microsoft sued Motorola in the ITC only after Motorola chose to refuse Microsoft's efforts to renew a patent license for well over a year. We're pleased the full Commission agreed that Motorola has infringed Microsoft's intellectual property, and we hope that now Motorola will be willing to join the vast majority of Android device makers selling phones in the US by taking a license to our patents.

-- David Howard, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel Microsoft

We've reached out to Motorola for comment on the matter as well, so stay tuned to see what it has to say.

Update: Motorola has issued an understandably somber statement on the ruling:

Microsoft started its ITC investigation asserting 9 patents against Motorola Mobility. Although we are disappointed by the Commission's ruling that certain Motorola Mobility products violated one patent, we look forward to reading the full opinion to understand its reasoning. Motorola Mobility will not experience any impact in the near term, as the Commission's ruling is subject to a $0.33/per unit bond during the 60 day Presidential review period. We will explore all options including appeal.

ITC bans Motorola mobile devices for infringing Microsoft patent (updated: MMI responds) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There's a trend starting to emerge of judges wanting Apple to talk settlements with others rather than duke it out in the courtroom. Just two weeks after Apple and Samsung were steered towards talking about a potential deal, a Delaware court has ordered Apple and HTC to meet on August 28th in the hopes that they could shake hands and put an end to an increasingly hectic legal battle under the eyes of a mediating judge. Whether or not that happens is very much up in the air. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said he's not a fan of lawsuits, but he hasn't showed indications that he would take legal action off the table just yet. Likewise, HTC is no doubt eager to eliminate phone shipping delays stemming from Apple's court wins, but the lack of immediate pressure and the hopes of winning countersuits might lead it to hold off. Still, if the court's ideal vision of the world comes to pass, you could see HTC's Cher Wang shopping in an Apple Store without staff giving her the evil eye.

[Image credit: mobile01]

Apple, HTC ordered by judge to sit down, try and make nice on August 28th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We'll forgive you if you've forgotten, given the myriad Apple/Samsung legal shenanigans, but back in February, Apple attempted to obtain a preliminary injunction against Samsung to prevent the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and a few phones from being sold in the US. Samsung emerged victorious, as the district court denied Cupertino's request because it questioned the validity of a couple of Apple's patents and didn't see how Apple would be irreparably harmed if it failed to get Sammy's products banned. Naturally, Tim Cook's crew appealed that decision, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) has decided to give Apple another crack at obtaining an injunction. The CAFC upheld the lower court's ruling as to three of the four patents, but found fault with the District Court's holding that Apple's tablet design patent had substantial questions of validity.

Essentially, the lower court held that Apple's patent was likely no good because it was an obvious design in light of two tablets that were created long before Apple patented the iPad's look. However, the CAFC found that one of the previous slate's asymmetrical bezel and lack of an unbroken, all-glass surface (among other differences) were sufficient to render Apple's patent non-obvious. Basically, the appellate court found that the District court "construed the claimed design too broadly," and remanded the issue so that the district court could complete its preliminary injunction analysis. So, Apple's cleared a big hurdle towards getting the Galaxy Tab 10.1 off the US market, but the company's still got to persuade Judge Koh that it'll be irreparably harmed without the injunction. This decision assures even longer legal proceedings, but given how well both of these tech titans are doing these days, we're pretty sure they can afford the attorneys' fees.

Apple gets another bite, wins appeal to pursue preliminary injunction against Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week, Judge Lucy Koh informed Apple and Samsung that they would have to reduce the number of patent claims at issue in the parties' Northern District of California litigation. And now, each has complied, with Samsung dropping its total number of asserted patent claims from 75 to 15, while dismissing two patents from the case altogether. For its part, Apple has reduced its case to one claim from each of its asserted utility patents, its four iPhone and one iPad design patents, and its trade dress claims for those two devices. Keep in mind, however, that they did so without prejudice, which means that either party can reassert these dismissed claims in a later lawsuit. That said, the parties have at least attempted to placate Judge Koh in order to keep their July 30th trial date, which is when the real legal fireworks begin. Feel free to check the filings below for the full scope of this most recent patent pruning.

Apple and Samsung finally agree... to drop a plethora of claims from their patent spat originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Would it be ironic if Android developers did an end-run around Microsoft patents by using Microsoft's own C#? Or if Google kiboshed its Oracle brouhaha with the aid of none other than Redmond? We're asking because Xamarin, the wacky open source implementer of .NET, has ported Android to Microsoft's C# with its XobotOS project. Although just an experiment and unlikely to solve Google's issues, the team showed that running the robot on C# instead of Java gave fewer coding limitations, better battery life and direct graphics access. Additionally, Xamarin reports "massive" speed gains on its HTC Flyer and Acer Iconia when running the side-project port -- no surprise given C#'s machine heritage. Sure, it's pure speculation that Mountain View and its developers would ever change their Java MO, but a little patent relief and faster Android devices in one kill shot? That's a sweet idea.

Xamarin's XobotOS opens prospect of Android port to C#, can of worms originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

These two brawlers were given until July to come together and mediate over their numerous globe-spanning patent lawsuits, but it appears neither side needs to wait that long. According to Foss Patents, May 21st and 22nd have been circled on the calendar of a certain San Francisco courthouse, where Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero will attempt to arbitrate in a calm, soothing voice for two days straight. Presenting himself as a confidant who sits outside of the main litigation being conducted in San Jose, Spero has already asked both parties to open up and provide "candid" statements about the strengths and weaknesses of their own cases, as a first step towards identifying areas of compromise. Fortunately, he still has a few weeks in which to devise further cunning plans.

Continue reading Apple and Samsung set to meet May 21st, hug it out over 48 hours

Apple and Samsung set to meet May 21st, hug it out over 48 hours originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tired of the ongoing patent wars? Well, Tim Cook gave us some reason to hope. In response to a question about the potential for settlements in the current pile of lawsuits on the company's plate, the CEO seemed open to the idea. In fact, he used the "h" word to describe is feelings towards the process. "I've always hated litigation. I continue to hate it," he said, before striking a slightly more combative tone to clarify, "I just want people to invent their own stuff." So there you go, stop stealing Apple's inventions and its lawyers won't sue. Seems simple enough. The urge to avoid further legal tussles seems genuine though, saying that, if an acceptable agreement could be struck he'd "highly prefer to settle rather than battle."

Tim Cook hates litigation, not quite ready to call a patent truce originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Potential bad news to start out the week for Microsofties: a judge from the US International Trade Commission has issued a preliminary ruling that finds Microsoft's Xbox 360 infringes on five four of Motorola's patents (and in Microsoft's favor on one). While the decision is by no means final -- which means that the Redmond outfit could ultimately prevail -- a final ruling would force Microsoft's hand to seek proper licenses for the technologies, most of which relate to H.264 video encoding, or have its gaming console banned from US shelves. For now, the lawyers will go back to the lab to refine their arguments and get ready to present them to a full panel of ITC judges later this year. Who wants to set odds on the outcome?

ITC issues preliminary ruling, finds Microsoft's Xbox 360 infringes on Motorola patents originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft has agreed to sell on around 650 patents to Facebook in a deal worth $550 million. The Haüs of Zuckerberg will stump up the cash in exchange for various social networking patents that were registered by AOL (disclaimer: Engadget's parent company) and sold to Redmond for $1 billion a fortnight ago. Microsoft will hold onto the remaining 275 in its portfolio and cross-license those that it's sold on, but not the 300 patents that AOL licensed but kept hold of. The social network will likely utilize the portfolio to better defend itself from litigation like the lawsuit brought by Yahoo back in March. If you're interested in reading the phrase "protect Facebook's interests over the long term," then head past the break for the official word from the men who invented poking.

Continue reading Facebook paying Microsoft $550 million for 650 patents, Ballmer clicks 'like'

Facebook paying Microsoft $550 million for 650 patents, Ballmer clicks 'like' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

German court upholds ban on iCloud and MobileMe push emails originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft wins injunction in Washington against Motorola, can keep selling stuff in Germany originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Facebook fights back, countersues Yahoo originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading CSIRO snatches $220m windfall in WiFi patent dispute with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon

CSIRO snatches $220m windfall in WiFi patent dispute with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Oracle and Google get a trial date, April 16th is the start of Android armageddon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft and TiVo agree to drop ongoing patent suits, we ask the world to follow originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Oracle's final damage claim against Google well under $100 million originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple's second slide-to-unlock case against Samsung stayed in Germany originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Hague to Samsung: no injunction for 3G patent infringement if Apple's willing to FRAND license originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Yahoo hits Facebook with patent infringement lawsuit originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple simplifies its ITC suit against Samsung: drops one patent and several claims from two more originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Judge says Apple can't pursue patent infringement case against Kodak originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Samsung files yet another lawsuit against Apple in South Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Nintendo says it refuses to 'succumb to patent trolls' as it wins Maryland case

Nintendo says it refuses to 'succumb to patent trolls' as it wins Maryland case originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ITC to review its decision on Microsoft, Motorola patent case originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

German court guns down third Samsung patent lawsuit, plus one from Apple originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple scores temporary ruling in Motorola battle, can keep selling iPads, iPhones in Germany originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Comcast sues Sprint with patent infringement, says two can play that game originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft files EU antitrust complaint against Motorola Mobility, claims unfair licensing practices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Oracle drops patent from Google lawsuit, Google moves to strike Oracle's third damages report originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple asks EU regulators to step in on Motorola patent dispute originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple v. Samsung: Cupertino's latest complaint alleges 17 devices infringe 8 of its patents originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple wants to file patent lawsuit against Kodak, fully aware that Kodak's bankrupt originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple sues Motorola over Qualcomm license, makes us dream of a world without lawyers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple seeks injunction against Samsung in California with newly acquired patents (update: Galaxy Nexus targeted) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

German court dismisses Motorola's patent lawsuit against Apple originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.