Acer to Apple: We Will Bring The Patent War To You

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Photo by Arjan Almekinders - http://flic.kr/p/93on5h
Photo by Arjan Almekinders - http://flic.kr/p/93on5h

In a bit of pre-emptive posturing, PC maker Acer charges Apple “started the patent war,” warning any losses should be seen as the cost of doing business. What patent war? Acer is among a number of Android-backers worried a recent Apple patent court win could result in more lawsuits.


Acer, which has seen its netbook sales crumble and its CEOs stumble trying to compete with the iPad, is now striking out, worried Apple may go after PC makers for patent royalties. The U.S. International Trade Commission recently ruled high-profile Android handset maker HTC infringed on two iPhone-related patent owned by the Cupertino, Calif. tech giant. Concern is that Apple could use the court victory to exact damage on rivals through exorbitant fees.

Acer chairman JT Wang said Apple “either wants money or market influence and should consider any related losses as costs of doing business,” industry publication DigiTimes reports. Google, which fathered the Android mobile operating system, is taking similar swipes at its rival, CEO Eric Schmidt reportedly suggesting Apple is just jealous.

Earlier this week, analysts reported Android tablets had gone from essentially nowhere a year ago to 30 percent of the tablet market. However, as Strategy Analytics noted, that growth was for Android tablets shipped rather than purchased by consumers.

If Apple finally got the Nokia monkey off its back by agreeing to a huge royalty payment, could Google do the same to free Android from the spectre of further Apple patent lawsuits?

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