Apple claims HTC Android features scalp

MOBILE LITIGATOR Apple has won something of a victory in its campaign to destroy its Android competition or, that is, protect its patent portfolio.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has sided with the fruit themed firm (PDF) on some of its complaints against HTC and has ruled that indeed, some of the technology in Android smartphones is covered by an Apple patent.

It was only a partial victory, however, as the ITC found that HTC had infringed only one patent out of the 10, and later six, put forward by Apple. However, this is enough for the ITC to issue a ban against infringing devices. This will start in April next year.

HTC will be allowed to import refurbished handsets to replace any that have failed under warranty, the ITC added, until 19 December, 2013.

There was talk that HTC would face a ban on its handsets in the run up to Christmas, but it does seem to have been spared this.

We have asked Apple and HTC to comment.

Update
Apple did not have a specific comment to make on this case, but told us, "We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."

HTC countered with its own response, which is not quite so snappy.'This decision is a win for HTC and we are gratified that the commission affirmed the judge's determination on the ‘721 and ‘983 patents, and reversed its decision on the ‘263 patent and partially on the ‘647 patent," it said.

"We are very pleased with the determination and we respect it. However, the ‘647 patent is a small UI experience and HTC will completely remove it from all of our phones soon". µ