ITC postpones Apple-HTC ruling again to December 19
updated 11:00 pm EST, Tue December 13, 2011
ITC sets back Apple and HTC verdict one more week
A final ruling from the International Trade Commission was dealt a second, last-minute delay on Tuesday. HTC said that the final decision, already moved back to December 14, would now be held on December 19. No explanation was given for the setback.
The ruling will determine whether not an initial finding in favor of Apple is upheld. An ITC judge determined that HTC's predominantly Android-based smartphones were violating two of four Apple patents. Its decision would be enough to risk banning at least some HTC hardware in the US.
HTC has lately been on the losing track in its attempt to fight the cases. It tried buying S3 Graphics to get a company with a successful ITC patent dispute to force Apple into a deal, but the ITC overturned the verdict, leading HTC to consider dropping S3 or else risk having wasted $300 million.
Apple sued HTC first, in March 2010, in what's mostly been seen as an attempt to slow down Android. The lawsuits so far haven't had a direct effect, but might not have been necessary. HTC has seen rapidly dropping expectations for its fall quarter as lackluster new models and Apple's own iPhone 4S cut into its performance.
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Joined: Mar 2008
What it means
It means Apple is about to lose a big one here. The Asian companies that continue to copy, violate IP and undercut prices are going to get the green light. For some reason that's okay with the court of law.