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Apple Transfers Patents Through Shell Company To Sue All Phone Makers

New submitter dell623 writes "A patent lawsuit (PDF) by patent licensing firm Digitude Innovations curiously targeted all mobile manufacturers except Apple. A TechCrunch story has revealed that the patents used were transferred from Apple via a shell company to DI, and appear to cover features found in virtually all smartphones. The lawsuit even extends to companies that don't make Android phones, like Nokia and RIM, and to Android OEMs that Apple have not directly sued yet, like Sony. The business model of DI clearly implies that Apple would benefit financially from the lawsuit as a company that contributed patents to DI's portfolio."

6 of 422 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why now? by gandhi_2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is the Jobs "Doomsday Device". ....And I will just say hello,
    To the folks that you know,
    Tell them you won't be long,
    They'll be happy to know that as I saw you go
    You were singing this song.

    We'll we'll meet again,
    Don't know where, dont know when.
    But I know well meet again, some sunny day.

    Roll Credits.

  2. Think Different by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Truly this is American Innovation at work.

  3. Re:well done apple by CruelKnave · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Well, now we have a firm grasp of the obvious."

  4. Re:iPhone is on the way out by bussdriver · · Score: 2, Funny

    NO, the hugely successful iOS products will shortly convert the whole industry into copy cat knock offs; some of which will surpass it in various ways (depending on what certain customers want, not what 1 product Apple offers.)

    Apple can own the various physical techniques which the others have worked around alternatives already (or pay apple or sony... unless there is a 3rd form of touch screen tech out there own by another already.)

    I'm 150% behind Apple on this-- PLEASE use software patents to foobar the industry!!

    Somebody PLEASE patent online campaign fund raising using software! We need a lot of horrible examples to get this beast slain.

  5. Re:But we are not looking at just one data point by c0lo · · Score: 3, Funny

    Apple could easily continue 60% growth rates year after year just from the growth the phone ALONE can give them

    In 20 years Apple will have owned all the financial institutions and in 100 years the Earth crust will be covered by 1 meter of iPhones ALONE - never mind other iOS device like the iPad/touch.

    --
    Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
  6. I need a little advice. by Anachragnome · · Score: 5, Funny

    I need a little advice.

    I am looking to purchase a smartphone, but with all these lawsuits it has become exceedingly difficult to determine exactly which phone will allow me to join the highest possible amount of future class-action suits. I am hoping the sum of settlement payments will exceed the actual cost of the phone and result in a net profit.

    Any suggestions?