Apple is often accused by the likes of Samsung that it is unwilling to license its technology to competitors, but that’s not true. In fact, Apple has licensed many of its design patents to Microsoft, under the condition of an “anti-cloning agreement” that prevents Microsoft from releasing mere doppelgangers of the iPhone and iPad. You know, like Apple is accusing Samsung of doing.
The admission came from Apple’s patent licensing director Boris Tekser, who said in court today that Apple offers many patents for licensing, with the exception of a few patents that cover iOS’s “unique user experience” which Apple is extremely protective of. These patents would cover things like iOS’s rubber band snap-back effect, which is one of the key patents in dispute in its IP trial in Samsung.
Tekster says Apple will license these patents, but only very rarely, being able to only count on “one hand” the instances where Apple licensed those patents.
It’s unclear in which capacities Microsoft is using the patents it has licensed from Apple, except that they are covered under Apple and Microsoft’s broader patent cross-licensing agreement. The implication, of course, is that if Samsung had seriously wanted to license patents from Apple, Cupertino would have been amenable, as long as they weren’t releasing clone devices. Since that’s what Samsung intended on doing anyway, though, no agreement could be reached.
Microsoft, of course, is releasing its own, would-be iPad killer in the Microsoft Surface, but presumably, Apple does not consider this a clone device, not just because of its vastly different, Metro-based operating system, but because of many of Microsoft’s additional innovations, such as the cover with built-in keyboard.
It’s like we’ve always said. It’s not that Apple doesn’t want companies like Samsung to compete. Healthy competition is good for everyone. What Apple doesn’t want is Samsung to rip their ideas off wholesale.
Source: Reuters
Via: The Next Web
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
5 responses to “While Samsung Shamelessly Copies, Apple Licenses Patents To Microsoft Under Anti-Cloning Agreement”
I never liked Samsung. I bought a Sony TV over a Samsung and although I regretted the idea, I’m glad I didn’t give my money to Samsung. Now for that iTV.
Are you implying that if apple had the chance they wouldnt stomp out all their competition because they think its healthy for the marketplace? While competition is good for the consumer, Apple would absolutely love it if they had zero. They wouldn’t have to spend all that money on marketing for one thing.
The only reason they don’t licence to Samsung (I bet) has more to do with their vendetta against android than anything else. Microsoft cranks out black rectangles just as well as Samsung.
I think there’s a bigger, broader issue here from a business perspective. Samsung basically just sits back in their chairs with their arms folded, while Apple takes *risks* in introducing new UI methods and technologies (single home button), Multi-touch UI, Siri. Technologies that if flopped, could put their entire product portfolio at risk. Samsung watches this and says hrm, okay people like Siri, so let’s copy it with “S-Voice.” Let Apple take all the risks, and we’ll just copy whatever is successful. Shame.
which makes me wonder if MS also license the ‘look-n-feel’ of their physical stores as well.
I think it’s been clear for everyone, Apple wants all competitor companies to license anything you need that Apple invented or reinventing it, and simply make your own innovations for anything else or not at all, as long as you’re willing to pay enourmous license fee to Apple.
It’s good to see Apple willing to license their IP because it shows good will as long as it’s beneficial for both parties.