The daggers are out. And pointing at Apple. Android makers Google have jumped to the defense of its Android carrier HTC, who is currently locked in a legal battle with iOS rival Apple.Its Executive Chairman, has sensationally come to the defense of mobile partner HTC, attacking the iPhone creator Apple for its lack of innovation, claiming it was jealous of its rival’s market success.
“We have seen an explosion of Android devices entering the market and, because of our successes, competitors are responding with lawsuits as they cannot respond through innovations,” said Eric Schmidt, Google Executive Chairman at a company mobile event in Toyko, referring to the legal battle HTC is engaged with Apple.
“The big news in the past year has been the explosion of Google Android handsets and this means our competitors are responding,” he added.
Just last week HTC, the Taiwanese maker of Desire S and newly launched Sensation, had an International Trade Commission deliberate it violated two out of ten patents, in a case taken by Steve Jobs’ giant.
Apple is seeking to ban U.S. imports of Droid Incredible, Wildfire, EVO 4G and Desire phones as well as its new Flyer tablet in a case file on March 10 last.
The decision, although not final (ITC to give final decision in December) also has possible negative implications for fellow Android carriers, which includes Samsung, Motorola and even Sony Ericisson.
HTC has pledged it will appeal the interim ruling, backed up by Google. “We have not done anything wrong,” Schmidt insists. The two patents in question are reported to be 5,946,647 and 6,343,263, the former is said to be critical to Android functionality.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs previously said: “We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours”.
In addition, other Android makers like Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson may also face the prospect of having its Android devices banned from sale in the States also.
HTC says it will “vigorously fight these two remaining patents through an appeal before the ITC commissioners who make the final decision,” Grace Lei, general counsel for the giant said in an e-mail communication.
The HTC brand, with well liked and affordable smartphones like Desire S and Sensation on Android platform, has fast moved out of obscurity and is now fast becoming a real threat to Apple’s iPhone.
