Apple slaps HTC with claims of patent infringement (again)

by Steven Mostyn - Jul 12 2011, 07:36

Not that we’re suggesting Apple is getting a little hot under the collar as rival smartphone and tablet makers encircle the iPhone and iPad, but Jobs & Co. are certainly giving that impression as of late.

Moreover, Apple’s recently launched courtroom attack against main market competitor Samsung has now expanded following (yet another) swipe at HTC, which makes the Flyer tablet and a variety of impressive Droid smartphones.

Bloomberg reports that Apple’s filing with the International Trade Commission (ITC) claims HTC has infringed on “groundbreaking technologies developed by Apple in conjunction with the development of its innovative iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch products.”

According to industry watchers keeping an eye on the unfolding schoolyard slapfest, Taiwanese device maker HTC could be forced to pay a whopping $700 million USD in compensation if the commission rules against it.

This isn’t the first time the folks at Infinity Loop have tried to chop the legs from beneath HTC. Back in 2010, Apple filed 20 instances of patent infringement against HTC, an action that saw the Taoyuan-based electronics specialist promptly respond with a patent claim of its own.

Bother of those cases should receive their preliminary rulings before the close of this week.

During the spring of this year, Apple let loose its legal dogs against the Samsung Galaxy S smartphone and Galaxy Tab tablet computer, both of which it said aped the design of the hugely popular iPhone and iPad.

Earlier this week, Apple answered Samsung’s countersuit (which was lodged in June) by bringing its initial complaint before the ITC.

Yawn.

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