In the News
Will Apple Attack Google Directly in Anti-Android Campaign?
By Lisa Shuchman, Corporate Counsel
In the wake of Apple Inc.’s recent $1 billion patent-trial victory
over Samsung Electronics, Google Inc. distanced itself from the verdict
with a statement stressing that most of the patent claims in that case
“don’t relate to the core Android operating system” it created to power
mobile devices.
But does that mean Google won’t be Apple’s next target?
“The
verdict is definitely a thorn in Google’s side, but this is not an
Android killer,” said Robert Barr, executive director of the Berkeley
Center for Law and Technology. “It will continue to be a war by proxy.”
...
The big Samsung verdict could spur mobile device makers to reduce their
reliance on Android and partner with makers of other operating systems.
Earlier this week, for example, the Korea Times reported
that Samsung was looking into partnering with Microsoft Corp. It’s just
as likely, however, that phone makers that use Android will work
closely with Google to update the operating system in ways that work
around the infringing patents, Barr said.
“This is how the patent system works,” Barr said. “It’s supposed to protect and encourage innovation instead of imitation.”
