HTC to Apple: Let’s Make a (Patent) Deal

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android-idevice

Can we talk? That’s the message coming from executives at Android-handset maker to Apple. HTC’s finance chief wants to “sit down” with the Cupertino, Calif. tech giant flush from a patent win that could be costly for companies touting Google’s mobile operating system.

“We have to sit down and figure it out,” HTC CFO Winston Yung tells Bloomberg. Apple recently won a patent dispute against HTC when the ITC found the Taiwan-based handset maker violated two iPhone-related patents. Earlier, the same body found Apple violated two compression patents held by HTC-owned S3 Graphics.

Could a Nokia-like settlement be in the wind? Yung said HTC has held “on and off” talks with Apple before the ITC rulings were announced. He said his company is open to solving the mutual patent problems if “the terms are fair and reasonable.” That’s certainly patent licensing language.

HTC already pays $5 for each Android handset, according to reports. Apple could use its preliminary ITC ruling to exact costly revenge on HTC and other Android manufacturers, requiring high licensing fees, some fear. In the meantime, HTC shares lost 7 percent following the July 6 acquisition of S3. Perhaps HTC could use its S3 patent wins as leverage to gain favorable licensing terms?

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