Slashdot Mirror


Apple Sued Over iPhones Making Calls, Sending Email (fortune.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Fortune: A company that seemingly does nothing but license patents or, if necessary, sue other companies to get royalties, has taken aim at Apple. But here's the kicker: the lawsuit alleges that Apple's last several iPhones and iPads violate a slew of patents related to seemingly standard features, including the ability to place calls as well as sending and receiving emails. A total of six patent infringement claims were brought against Apple by Corydoras Technologies on May 20, according to Apple-tracking site Patently Apple, which obtained a copy of the lawsuit. According to Patently Apple, the counts against Apple cover every iPhone dating back to the iPhone 4 and every iPad dating back to the iPad 2. In addition to taking issue with Apple's devices placing calls, the lawsuits also allege that the tech giant violates patents Corydoras holds related to video calling, which is similar to Apple's FaceTime, as well as displaying a person's geographic location through a feature like Find My iPhone and the ability to block unwanted calls. Last year, Apple was ordered to pay $533 million to Smartflash LLC for allegedly violating three patents related to copy protection.

5 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. wait, wut? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    an iphone can make calls? no fucking way! i don't think i've ever seen my sister or her kid make a call on theirs.

    1. Re:wait, wut? by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's common sense presumably. Except that the judges and juries in East Texas haven't seen that movie yet.

      Whew. That was close. You used the phrase "common sense" and the word Texas in two different sentences.

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  2. Re:Expo 67 - Canada - Eh by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 4, Funny

    The only thing from Bell Canada that's "coming real soon now" is your next invoice.

  3. Like the Old Saying Goes . . . by Kunedog · · Score: 4, Funny

    Patent trolling is the motherfucker of invention.

  4. Bottom Feeders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Anyone else notice the company is NAMED for a species of bottom-feeding catfish?