Apple Trying to Shutdown Android with Galaxy Nexus Ban?
If you've been following the smartphone industry for a while, you'll know that, while Apple is eager to stop the likes of Samsung from 'slavishly copying' its design, the company's desire to stop Android in its tracks is much, much stronger. In fact, just before he passed away, the late Steve Jobs was quoted as saying he'd do everything he could to destroy Android.
So, how's that going for Apple? For the most part, Cupertino is targeting key Android handset manufacturers (Samsung, HTC, and Motorola to name a few). The company's most recent tactic is an effort to get a ban on the Galaxy Nexus. FOSS Patents reports that Apple brought a motion for a preliminary injunction against the device on Thursday with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
Apple is focusing on four patents for this suit: a "data tapping" patent, one for unified search (this one relates to Siri), a slide-to-unlock patent, and a word completion patent. According to FOSS Patents, three of these were granted in the last six months, and only the "data tapping" patent is a 'slam dunk' for Apple, as it has already succeeded with it in the ITC. This patent relates to the functionality that allows you to, for example, click on a phone number in an email to make a call or send a text.
If Apple is successful, the preliminary injunction will block Samsung from selling the Galaxy Nexus in the United States, at least until the court reaches a formal decision on this suit. However, this could go further than just the phone. FOSS's Florian Mueller points out that the newest Nexus, as with all other flagship Nexus devices, is running stock Android as opposed to Android with an OEM skin, or at least some OEM-added enhancements, on top. In the past, Google has left out some features from stock Android just to avoid infringement, Mueller says, because the search giant knows that OEMs will the features in question in later on. However, the fact that this case highlights a stock Android phone means Google won't be able to shift the blame.
"This means that Google cannot deny its undivided responsibility for any infringement findings. A preliminary injunction would not prohibit the sale of a Galaxy Nexus just because it's called Galaxy Nexus or looks like one: it's all about which patents it infringes on," Mueller explains. "Theoretically, Google could remove the functionality protected by any of these patents in order to keep the product on sale, but if it changes the program code of a lead device, this would make it particularly clear to everyone else in the market that there's an infringement issue."
This is just the latest in a long string of back-and-forth lawsuits between Samsung and Apple, but the fact that Apple is now targeting a 'stock Android' phone makes for an interesting development. We'll keep you posted on how this one pans out.
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That makes his death sound suspicious.
That makes his death sound suspicious.
Not really, at least if you consider for the fact that it was well know that he was sick a long time before he ever said that, it's so surprise.
Either way, this cannot be good. Let's hope Apple fails, let's hope the lawyers know what they are talking about.
This just in, Apple patents breathing through your nose, everyone not owning an Apple product must breathe through their mouth and thus be called "mouth breathers".
That makes his death sound suspicious.
Hardly, it just added to the belief in karma!
Is this a joke? Yes another nail in coffin not to buy Apple product for me. Thanks for a tip Apple
Not really, at least if you consider for the fact that it was well know that he was sick a long time before he ever said that, it's so surprise.Either way, this cannot be good. Let's hope Apple fails, let's hope the lawyers know what they are talking about.
Yeah, sick and greedy. Jobs to whatever he believed in as a higher power: I wanted to stifle innovation, after all, I invented innovation.
Sounds like Bill Gates and Jobs were alike in this respect. My bet is karma will come back and bite them in the butt. George Eastman stole many ideas from his competitors, and look where Kodak is now - on the brink of collapse. However, I see Gates and Jobs more intent on controlling the world rather than let people freely innovate. WTF??? crApple has $60bn US in the bank and its not enough for them??
My bet is crApple will fail. They are desperate because their suits were thrown out overseas. And who cares if Google modifies their code - making "infringement" obvious. Infringing on a patent, is, after all, legal. All that a patent does is give a company rights to sue for such infringement.
simple proposal: make all such patents only last for 1 year.
after that, the technology becomes public use. The money is usually made by then anyway.
I love how fast your wallet is thinning out!
simple proposal: make all such patents only last for 1 year.after that, the technology becomes public use. The money is usually made by then anyway.
Apple can't kill Google or Android phones - all they'll do is force a higher % of the sales of each phone.
With all the Android phones sold around the world, Apple will make much more money just tapping each sale for a %.
Destroying Android would actually be STUPID at this point, for Apple. They'd make much more money off them keeping them up and running.
What is wrong with Apple. All they want is a communist world where they are the only phone manufacturer and everyone bows down to them. Seriously, don't they have enough money already. Why don't they focus on treating their workers with respect in China and actually pay them more than a $1 an hour. This shows they don't care about anyone except themselves and money. I am glad that Steve Handjobs is rotting in Hell.
"shutdown" is a noun. You meant "shut down" A grammatical error in the headline of an article is pretty bad.
I really hope Steve Jobs is rotting in hell right now. $@%^ anyone who continues to support Apple.
It is sad to see somenoe trying to sue, because of being afraid of competition.
Make great products instead, so the other guy can't sell, so they go out of business the real capitalist way!
The surprising part is that the US government keeps ignoring the blatant fact that Apple is anticompetetive in all manners possible.
That's is awesome. After the break: World is preparing for huge anti monopoly lawsuit..
It is sad to see somenoe trying to sue, because of being afraid of competition.Make great products instead, so the other guy can't sell, so they go out of business the real capitalist way!
The problem is supposedly Apple does make great products, yet they still are not number one. Instead of doing something more innovative (Apple is NOT innovative, they are the ultimate copycat - they just market their products much better than anyone else and put their stuff in prettier cases), they sue everyone based on software patents (with the exception of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 suit). This is further proof that software patents need to be discarded as most software patents are very generic concepts that many parties can easily "invent" to solve a problem. If there was a blatant copy of mechanical and material function, then great, sue until your heart's content. Software should only be covered under copyright, not patents (and this is coming from a software developer).
Apple can't kill Google or Android phones - all they'll do is force a higher % of the sales of each phone.With all the Android phones sold around the world, Apple will make much more money just tapping each sale for a %.Destroying Android would actually be STUPID at this point, for Apple. They'd make much more money off them keeping them up and running.
I'm not trying to defend apple, i totally agree. It's the patent system that allows these situations to exist in the first place. Time to take care of the root problem, not the symptoms.
The surprising part is that the US government keeps ignoring the blatant fact that Apple is anticompetetive in all manners possible.
Exactly my point to Apple supporters. A friend of mine constantly posts on boards and FB about how being free is something everyone should fight for, yet uses an iPhone from a company that is the most restrictive and wants to control 100% of everything you do with their manufacturered goods. The hypocrisy of Apple users is astounding.
Of course they are trying to shut them down. It's a better product.
i know the attorneys for apple and google must be loving this
They are the only true winners in these fights.
Yah, ya think? I respect Steve Jobs for what he DID accomplish. I do not respect the man that wants the world and thinks he can have it by sueing everyone for anythnig possible no matter how small the issue. This is like the very first phone manufacturer claiming that they own it all and no one else can manufactur or create any cellular device. Stifiling innovation and systematically trying to shut down the competition (or sue the competition until they give up or are broke and can not continue the fight which is what I really thnik Apple is up to this way it is not THEIR fault) is not in anyone's best interests. At some point the governmant will HAVE to see the light and step in to stop Apple from deliberately doing this.
In addition the patent office should stop this nonsence as well. I would be proud to know that I created somethnig and that someone else saw additional potential to make it better. I would not want to FORCE them into submission or paying money just to use it. In the end the world and companies are greedy and money driven. this will probably never change...
Apple Tryingto Shutdown Androidwith Galaxy Nexusban?
I'm waiting for a response to my application for a software patent; my future invention allows a user to make and or receive calls over a 5th generation cellular network.
I'll be rich
none of those patented ideas are non-obvious.
That makes his death sound suspicious.
Glad someone with so much hate in their heart is dead. No good can come of that much anger.
However, I see Gates and Jobs more intent on controlling the world rather than let people freely innovate.
You mean Gates as in Bill Gates? The Bill Gates who isn't responsible for any recent litigation from Microsoft because he hasn't been CEO for twelve years now? The Bill Gates who has repeatedly shattered his own record for charitable donations, and is successfully campaigning among billionaires to get them to start donating too ($125,000,000,000 pledged so far)? The Bill Gates who was formerly the richest man in the world, but decided that he had too much money and is giving 95% of it away?
Yeah, that guy sounds like an asshole. Shame on him for stepping away from the job that made him the richest man in the world and dedicating his life to giving it all back.
I sincerely hope that Apple goes bankrupt and Android wins.
Some of those patents are ridiculous too. The unified search patent starts with the assertion that a websearch cannot search a local system and that a local system search cannot search the web.
Then the whole idea of search using natural language, the modern idea of it is as old as startrek and starwars...
Unified search:
"C-3PO: [translating for R2] He says he's found the main control to the power beam that's holding the ship here; he'll try to make the precise location appear on the monitor.
[a diagram of the power terminal appears on the screen]
C-3PO: The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave.
"
Hueristic search combined with Data tapping:
"Luke: [interrupting] Will you shut up and listen to me! Shut down all the garbage smashers on the detention level, will ya? Do you copy? Shut down all the garbage smashers on the detention level! Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level!
C-3PO: [to R2-D2] No! Shut them *all* down, hurry!
[R2 shuts down the compactors]
Luke: What? HAHA! Hey, you did it 3PO!
"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/quotes
I'd love to see those quotes used as evidence in court.
LOL
There is a saying... "Winners innovate, losers litigate"
There is a point where certain functionality is so natural or common that it goes beyond belief that someone can claim to own the rights. Data tapping? Seriously? Isn't that akin to clicking a hyperlink with your finger instead of a mouse? How can one build on the previous innovation of someone else and take full credit for it with a patent? It's ludicrous.
That makes his death sound suspicious.
God: Your powers are weak, old man.
Jobs: If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.
Apple is becoming a monopoly, or is one already. The government needs to step in to stop Apple from suing Android phone makers. What they are doing is wrong. Apple might as well sue the world for god's sake. We all are using stuff they patent which most of them are ridiculous. Apple needs to stop crying and leave Android alone. We don't need more businesses closing. We need jobs and if Android phone makers close then we lose jobs and who is it to blame? All fingers should point to Apple. This economy will be getting worse if Apple wins and they will be hated.