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Tim Cook and Larry Page Working to Address Patent Issues Between Apple and Google
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Who said innovation had to involve touch?
I am sure people were saying the same thing when there were phones that required a stylus.
Guess what happened? Someone innovated.
It is an innovation because someone hasn't capitalized on it before.
I think this is great news. Let's hope they can iron out the differences. Keep all parties out of the courts.
The whole software patents situation is ridiculously absurd. First the companies patent mostly trivial crap, then they sue each other, then they settle, then they cross license. If there were no patent laws in place that could be abused by everybody with a legal department, none of this would be necessary and everybody would be busy innovating on their products instead of litigating. Because, you know, once the settlement-cross licensing finale is reached, it ultimately is exactly as if there never had been a patent for anything in the first place.
Software patents don't help anybody. I'm glad that we don't have that crap in Germany - the existing copyright laws are more than sufficient to protect one's "IP".
Great news.
I really want Apple & Google to be 'friends'. I use, love and rely on products from both companies.
I really want Apple & Google to be 'friends'. I use, love and rely on products from both companies.
Google (and Motorola as a wholly-owned entity by Google) has enough patents that a deal could be struck without any money changing hands. Remember, Google doesn't make money from Android devices, so hard for them to commit the handset makers.
I still think it would be a good thing. Both sides can come away claiming victory, Apple says that Google will no longer be copying the iPhone and staying different, Google says they've protected the future of Android devices.
On Apple's side, my guess it would be licensing all the gestures and such, keeping some interactions as uniquely Apple's (like bounce-back), and there's a sort of gentlemen's agreement that "Google keeps tweaking the UI to be less iPhone-like, Apple doesn't take an expansive view of its trade dress and design patents to press cases". The generations of Android have gotten less iPhone-like, so that's already largely done.
On Google's side, settling the licenses that Motorola has be pressing, licensing the notification tray just in case, and maybe some other relevant ones.
Although... it may also be something else. Two rumors have been on the fly for a while - Apple has plans for some cable box replacements, Google wants to have Motorola sell its cable box business. That could be an interesting convergence of rumors, and a nice way to seal the deal with smiles all around. (Whenever you can, sealing deals with everyone happy is best - both sides then want to make the deal work as opposed to looking for loopholes or ways to sabotage it.)
Totally agree with you.
As a side note, they usual suspects are really amusing with their totally out of reality comments
Perhaps those who think Google is worried should read this 1st
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/the-sleeping-giant-may-have-awoken/
With the finalized acquisition of Motorola by Google in May, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before Google would stop letting its hardware partners be attacked by Apple and would take a stand. On Friday Google did just that, filing a patent-infringement lawsuit against Apple for the following seven patents: 5,883,580, 5,922,047, 6,425,002, 6,983,370, 6,493,673,7,007,064 and 7,383,983. The products they are seeking an import ban on are the Apples iPod Touch, the iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, the iPad 2 and the new iPad, as well as the Mac Pro, iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air and all other Apple devices which utilize wireless communication technologies to manage various messages and content. Motorola also argues Apple was fully aware of the patents in question.
The obvious worst-case scenario for Apple would be that all of their products would be banned in the U.S. until they resolve the issue. I dont believe anyone sees the worst-case scenario happening, but it would not be surprising to see some sort of preliminary injunction until the International Trade Commission (ITC) makes a ruling which is scheduled for August 24.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/the-sleeping-giant-may-have-awoken/
With the finalized acquisition of Motorola by Google in May, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before Google would stop letting its hardware partners be attacked by Apple and would take a stand. On Friday Google did just that, filing a patent-infringement lawsuit against Apple for the following seven patents: 5,883,580, 5,922,047, 6,425,002, 6,983,370, 6,493,673,7,007,064 and 7,383,983. The products they are seeking an import ban on are the Apples iPod Touch, the iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, the iPad 2 and the new iPad, as well as the Mac Pro, iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air and all other Apple devices which utilize wireless communication technologies to manage various messages and content. Motorola also argues Apple was fully aware of the patents in question.
The obvious worst-case scenario for Apple would be that all of their products would be banned in the U.S. until they resolve the issue. I dont believe anyone sees the worst-case scenario happening, but it would not be surprising to see some sort of preliminary injunction until the International Trade Commission (ITC) makes a ruling which is scheduled for August 24.
I agree with most of what you say, except I'm not sure Apple is all that hot for royalties. Not that they'd turn them down, but their strategy is differentiation for a large profit. So, workarounds/different approaches help them for that. As I said above, I can see them striking a deal that results in zero royalties or payments to the handset makers.
doubt it, slight coincidence this happens after Motorola sues Apple for non FRAND patents
LOL, Apple heavy handed ... Samsung and other companies rode the shirt tails of Apple's success and crossed the line when it came to stealing IP. Apple stood up for themselves, as they MUST ... kudos to Apple.
It will come out in court .... oh wait!
Fact is Google ripped Apple, period. And now, they're scared, looks good on them.
Bottom line, pay the licensing fee's from what Google and OEM's stole from Apple and get back to innovating new exciting products instead of copying and following the leader.
Microsoft and Nokia did it, why didn't Google, Samsung, HTC etc? Maybe the iPhone and iPad caught them slue footed and designing and innovating in the wrong direction and they, unlike Microsoft and Nokia, decided it would be faster, easier, cheaper to copy Apple rather than innovate on their own.
If it wasn't for Apple, Google and OEM's certainly wouldn't be marketing iPhone or iPad like devices today. Apple gave them their head start, then competitors stole their IP and refused to pay.
plus, Motorola offered to license those 7 patents to Apple but they refused.
We would like to settle these patent matters, but Apples unwillingness to work out a license leaves us little choice but to defend ourselves and our engineers innovations.
don't people on here say Google doesn't even make money off Android? (after lauding Apple and their huge profits)
You realize that the lawsuit that was just decided was just against Samsung, right? Because your post, as spirited as it is - comes off as wildly tangential.
This is not true, Google licenses Android to handset makers just like a license for Windows or OSX (like an upgrade).
Android exists in 2 forms, the OpenSource version that is freely available and the version that handset makers use. In order to use a lot of the official google apps and marketplaces the version has to be officially licensed.
Google needs Apple more than Apple needs Google and thus the Apple/Microsoft agreement will never happen that you elude to as a possibility.
Google lacks patents that Apple acquired with the NORTEL purchase. Apple historically will pass on the licensing deal.
As Google's primary spokesman on this forum, you should hope you're right.
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The only company that could possibly be affected by a "no cloning" clause in such an agreement is Motorola. And a cross licensing agreement does not necessitate licensing fees.
One of the reasons DoJ and EU regulators granted the purchase is that the consortium will grant FRAND licensing of the patents.