More Samsung devices added to Apple Patent Complaint

According to Jordan Crook at CrunchGear,

Apple’s updated filing includes the Droid Charge, Exhibit 4G, Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Prevail, Galaxy S, Gravity Smart, Infuse 4G, Nexus S 4G, Replenish, Sidekick 4G, Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy S II. To start, the Sidekick 4G, Replenish, and Gravity Smart all sport physical QWERTY keyboards, which is something we have never, nor do I expect we will ever, see on an Apple product. Furthermore, a large part of Apple’s issue has to do with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, which isn’t even on the Replenish.

Along with tossing some extra devices into the mix, Apple has also decided to add a few extra patents to the case, accusing Samsung of even further infringement. With the addition of the three new patents, Apple is officially filing a complaint against Samsung for infringement on a total of eight utility patents. Two new design patents have also been added, bringing the total to five.

Apple Named in Two New Lawsuits

As if the lawyers for Apple weren’t already busy enough, Affinity Labs of Texas LLC has accused the company of infringing on three patents.  The patents are titled “System and method for Communicating Selected Information to an Electronic Device,” “Audio System and Method,” and “Content Delivery System and Method.”  According to Ars Technica, Affinity Labs claims that these patents cover buying songs from the iTunes store, and downloading songs from iTunes onto an iPod or iPhone.  It is also claimed that these patents cover playing digital audio on an iPod or iPhone with external speakers.

Before reacting to this news, it should be mentioned that the lawsuit was filed in patent infringement-friendly Eastern Texas.  Also, the patents seem to be a bit broad, since it seems as if they would apply to every audio device that plays digital audio.  Affinity Labs has similar suits pending against car manufacturers, in which the defendants have filed countersuits.  Can you say “patent troll?”

Accolade Systems LLC has also named Apple in a lawsuit, after it named Micron and Aptina as defendants as well.  Accolade claims that their patent, “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Camera Sensor Intensity Saturation,” is violated by Apple as the iPhone automatically adjusts the brightness of a screen based on surrounding light.  Other cellphones and products also have this feature, so it remains unclear as to why the suit is being launched against Apple.

While it seems as if Apple may be able to wiggle its way out of these lawsuits, Apple’s bottom line may be hurt as it still must pay money to defend itself.

Apple Patents Laptop Handles

Is it possible that Apple finally got tired of having third parties make attachable handles for their laptops?  Or, is Apple ready to shed its customary “thin and sleek design?”  While the former seems a lot more probable than the latter, this debate recently arose with the filing of a new Apple patent.

As reported by Cult of Mac, Apple was recently granted a patent for a handle with an integrated heat pipe.  The patent application states that as designs for computers become more compact, “managing thermal loads in integrated circuits becomes more challenging.”  Thus, not only will this handle be used to carry the computer, it can help dissipate the heat the builds up inside the computer.  It is stated that this solution might actually work better than using a fan, as fans may significantly lower battery life as well as increase the noise level.

An example of an Apple computer that actually contained a handle was the iBook G3 Clamshell.  Unfortunately, the handle was removed on later models.  However, one must wonder if the handle is used to dissipate generated heat, will their laptop literally be too hot too handle?

Nintendo Asks Trade Office To Fight Piracy

In its annual report to the U.S. Trade Office, Nintendo has asked for help in dealing with overseas piracy.  The list contains most of the usual countries, with Spain being the new offender.  In addition, Hong Kong was taken completely off the list.  Will this list accomplish much in stopping piracy overseas?  That answer is up for debate, but in the meantime, here is a summary of the countries that were named as reported by Kotaku:

China – Nintendo claims that online shopping sites that sell infringing Nintendo products are increasing.  These products are not only sold to customers in China, but also to those in the United States.

Korea – While internet piracy in Korea continues, 10 customs raids at the beginning of this year resulted in the seizure of more than 75,000 game copiers.

Brazil – Nintendo claims that efforts to prosecute for piracy are very weak, as not a single shipment of Nintendo video game products were seized in 2008.  In addition to internet piracy, high tariffs and taxes make barriers for official Nintendo products.

Mexico – According to Nintendo, anti-piracy actions taken by the Mexican government in 2008 are inadequate.  While Mexico is participating in negotiating the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, there must be more enforcement.

Spain – There is an incredible amount of game-copying devices and illegal Nintendo software available.  Nintendo is asking the Spanish government to protect the copyright industry and enact laws against internet piracy.

Paraguay – Nintendo’s anti-piracy actions showed that illegal goods are both being imported and produced in this country.  Nintendo cites corruption as the reason that anti-piracy efforts in Paraguay have not been effective.

Sony, Nokia, and Nintendo Sued over Wireless Tech

On February 13, Wall Wireless LLC filed a lawsuit against Sony, Nintendo and Nokia.  As reported by Computer and Video Games, the lawsuit alleges that Sony’s PSP, Nintendo’s DS, as well as other real-time online multiplayer games infringe on Wall’s wireless patent.  Wall also claims that Nokia’s mobile devices infringe on their patent, as well as the mobile game Reset Generation.

The patent in question is titled, “Method and Apparatus for Creating and Distributing Real-Time Interactive Media Content through Wireless Communication Networks and the Internet.”  The patents were filed in 2001, and were granted by the USPTO in 2003.  The lawsuit states that all of the defendants received a notice of the patent in October 2008, but none of the companies have yet to take a license under the patent.

Wall Wireless is seeking damages, costs, expenses, attorney’s fees and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.

Microsoft Receives Patent for PDA Button Pushing

A Microsoft patent that was filed in 2002 has just been granted by the patent office.  As reported by Smartphone Mobile, the patent concerns the concept of having a handheld device perform different functions when a button is pressed multiple times or held down for a certain period of time.

As the abstract of the patent states:

A method and system are provided for extending the functionality of application buttons on a limited resource computing device. Alternative application functions are launched based on the length of time an application button is pressed. A default function for an application is launched if the button is pressed for a short, i.e., normal, period of time. An alternative function of the application is launched if the button is pressed for a long, (e.g., at least one second), period of time. Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time, e.g., double click.

With the addition of this patent, Microsoft may be able to collect licensing fees from companies that now, or have in the past, used this technique.  However, if there is proof that this technique arose before 2002, Microsoft’s patent will not hold up in court.

Samsung Responds to Kodak’s Patent Dispute

In November, Eastman Kodak filed a lawsuit with a U.S. District Court as well as with the U.S. International Trade Commission.  Kodak accused both Samsung and LG of infringing on the data compression and storage technologies  in Kodak’s mobile camera phone.  A month after the complaint was filed, the ITC voted to investigate the claims.  But according to FierceWireless, Samsung has responded by hitting Kodak with its own lawsuit.

Samsung is asking the ITC to block the importation of Eastman Kodak digital cameras.  The Korean-based company claims that Kodak’s cameras infringe on several patents.

The ITC can be a popular place for patent infringement cases, as it can stop the imports of items that infringe on U.S. patents.  One common example of wireless companies using the ITC is the battle between Qualcomm and Broadcom.  Both have filed numerous complaints with the government agency during their long-standing feud.

Dell Challenges ‘Netbook’ & Accuses Psion of Fraud

In 2000, Psion trademarked the word “Netbook,” and has aggressively defended the word since.  Recently, Psion sent out cease and desist letters to stop sites from using the term, and Psion even convinced Google to remove netbook from its Ad Words advertising program.  But according to CrunchGear, Dell has issued a petition to cancel Psion’s trademark.

Dell is claiming that Psion has abandoned the Netbook trademark, because Psion does not currently offer laptop computers under the trademark.  Also, Dell states that Psion does not intend to resume use of the trademarked name.

Dell also cited “Genericness” of the netbook term, since many companies now make netbooks as well.  Psion is also accused of fraud, as Dell states that a senior product manager for Psion claimed they had been actively using the term for its notebook computers, even though that was not the case.

It’ll be interesting to see how this legal battle plays out, especially since Psion’s netbook has not been on sale for some years.  Also, since other companies have carefully avoided the netbook term, the outcome of the case may effect the names of future products.

GE Wins Patent Suit Against Agere

Yesterday, General Electric Co. won $7.6 million in damages from a federal court jury, after it was decided that LSI Corp.’s Agere Systems unit infringed on a GE patent.  According to Bloomberg.com, the jury decided that Agere’s infringement was intentional, but also decided that three other GE patents weren’t valid.

GE sued Agere in 2007, alleging that the semiconductor maker infringed on four patents.  GE originally sought more than $32 million in damages before that amount was knocked down by the jury.  However,  David Sipiora, who represented Agere, told the jury that GE’s “business in life is to extract money from people.”

Agere’s parent, LSI, made $2.87 billion last year, while GE made $180.9 billion.  The patents in question were awarded to GE between 1991 and 2001 to Codex Corp. and Motorola, and were bought by GE in 2004.

USPTO Rejects 2nd Claim by Motorola

In 2007, Motorola filed a lawsuit against Aruba Networks, claiming that Aruba infringed on four of its patents.  But last week, Aruba announced that the USPTO had issued a preliminary report that rejected all of the claims in one of the patents.  Today was another good day for Aruba, as it announced that 12 of 14 claims in a second patent asserted by Motorola have been rejected by the Patent Office.

In the report announced today, CNNMoney reported that the rejected claims would narrow the Motorola patent, as well as nullifying any claims for damages from past infringement of the invalidated claims. 

“For the second time in the month of February, the USPTO has issued an action that is very favorable to Aruba,” said Mike Reinemann of Cesari and McKenna, patent counsel to Aruba. “The preliminary ruling finds that the great majority of claims in Patent No. 6,625,454 are unpatentable, and the two surviving claims are not at issue in the case. We look forward to receiving initial rulings from the Patent Office in the pending re-examinations of Motorola’s other two patents.”

Last September, Aruba filed a patent infringement countersuit against Motorola and two of its subsidiaries.  Aruba alleges that Motorola infringed on two of Aruba’s patent related to managing wireless computer networks and network security.

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