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Turnabout is fair play: Apple is sued by Taiwanese company over Touch Screen technology

Turnabout is fair play: Apple is sued by Taiwanese company over Touch Screen technology

Posted: 09 Apr 2009, 01:31, by Alan F.

Categories: Apple Apple Touch Touch Software Software Bookmark

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Turnabout is fair play: Apple is sued by Taiwanese company over Touch Screen technology

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Earlier this year, we reported how Apple was awarded a patent on some of the multi-touch technology and GUI used on the iPhone. Some of the feeling at the time was that Apple was preparing to use the threat of patent infringement as a way to quash a solid competitor in the Palm Pre. Now, the tables have turned as chip design company Elan Microelectronics of Taiwan has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Fransisco. The suit claims that two of Elan's patents are infringed upon by the MacBook, iPhone and iPod Touch and two years of talks with the Cupertino, California firm to work out a licensing arrangement have failed. The Taiwanese firm has had to fight over these patents in court before, in 2006 against Synaptics who countersued, and eventually both firms worked out a cross-licensing deal after Elan had won a preliminary court injunction. The patents in question involve a "multiple fingers contact sensing method for emulating mouse buttons and mouse operations on a touch sensor pad." With their business starting to drop off with the economy, and with the confidence of seeing a deal worked out with Synaptics, Elan could be using the patent fight as a way to raise their profile in the touch screen market. A spokeswoman for the Taiwanese firm says that the company wants to receive royalties and a licensing agreement that would also cover future offerings from Apple. Jill Tan, a spokeswoman for the American firm, said that Apple would not comment on the lawsuit. When the Pre is launched, everyone had been preparing to watch Cupertino to see what the reaction was going to be about a patent battle. Now, all eyes will have to be looking toward Taiwan.

source: NY Times via Wired

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1. att_agent posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:43 0 0

woohooo i love a good he said she said

2. The Godfather (unregistered) posted on 09 Apr 2009, 10:17 0 0

I think everybody here knew this was coming, I am also under the impression that LG ( Life is Good ) is pending a suit against apple as well for several copyright infringements. touche' BB Storm FTW

4. htsee posted on 09 Apr 2009, 13:29 0 0

what patents? im not supporting apple, im just curious... a lot of people are mistaken by what the actual patents are for...

6. Kiltlifter posted on 09 Apr 2009, 16:07 0 0

Godfather... you do know that LG doesn't stand for Life's (is) good, it actually stands for Lucky Gold.

7. vzw fanman posted on 09 Apr 2009, 16:53 0 0

well how come on the commercials it says "life's good" under the lg emblem

8. The Spartan posted on 09 Apr 2009, 22:49 0 0

LG is actually Lucky Gold, a major conglomerate (number 3 if I remember correct behind Samsung and Sony?) and has been around since for a very long time. Ever had a Zenith product? Yep, that's them. They've had a lot of brands over the years. Life's Good is just the motto. Lucky Gold-Star is the true name, however they leave off the star...or it's one word... I don't know either way it's all good.

9. htsee posted on 10 Apr 2009, 04:34 0 0

lifes good more of the company motto, as opposed to the name of the company... and its lucky goldstar (last i remember)...

10. *HOVA* posted on 10 Apr 2009, 11:47 0 0

He won't reply about the LG claims cause he has no clue.

12. PapaJay224 posted on 13 Apr 2009, 17:56 0 0

"LG" Lucky Goldstar, for the win....

3. YouLostTheGame posted on 09 Apr 2009, 11:48 0 0

I wonder when the lawsuits against Apple will ever stop? No wonder their iphone is so expensive; it's got to pay for all the copyright infingement lawsuits it creates!

11. heavybreathing posted on 10 Apr 2009, 14:04 0 0

Actually it's less than $150 with a contract. How much is your storm?

13. PapaJay224 posted on 13 Apr 2009, 18:09 0 0

I find it odd that Blackberry Storm hasnt had any remotely close lawsuit attempts...For the iPhone being SUCH A BIG DEAL, there seems to be a whole bunch of people pissed off that thier Idea is now being JACKED and distributed from Apple...I think what the problem really is that Apple dumbed their phone to 2G or half a$$ 3g and worked with At&t, the REAL creaters of the device probably had LTE in their minds....

5. belve14 posted on 09 Apr 2009, 15:43 0 0

What goes around comes back around....they think they own all these patents and the whole cellphone industry. Guess not lol