Mobile Phone Patent Lawsuit Wars

You would think that many of the worlds large phone developers would have the understanding of patent law that prohibits the use of another persons patented technology idea or product. Well truth be told it seems that many of the mobile phone developing powerhouses are all of a sudden throwing patent law suits at each other by saying they are infringing on patent copyright.

Google has been one of the first to fall foul of this mobile phone patent issue as they were found guilty in recent weeks of illegally using the Linux kernel code. Google did this on its servers and also in its Android mobile phone system.

Google faced a jury that found them guilty of infringing copyright law, but the outcome was a five million dollar fine which to a massive company like Google is nothing.

Next we see the massive war developing between Samsung and Apple.

Apple first put forward 16 claims against Samsung in court documents, these range from technology to trademark infringement. Apple said in its court documentation: “...Samsung has made its Galaxy phones and computer tablet work and look like Apple’s products through widespread patent and trade dress infringement... By this action, Apple seeks to put a stop to Samsung’s illegal conduct and obtain compensation for the violations that have occurred thus far,”

Samsung retorted to the claims by putting their counter law suits forward saying: “Samsung is responding actively to the legal action taken against us in order to protect our intellectual property and to ensure our continued innovation and growth in the mobile communications business,”

Interestingly Samsung is actually a microchip provider for Apple Ipads and other systems so this will really strain their relationship. Many believe the move by Apple is because Samsung has grown rapidly in the Smartphone market and is seen as Apple's closest rival.

It is interesting that these patent lawsuits between big name mobile phone companies is growing rapidly. Is it that the patents are not robust enough and too general in their terms or is it that mobile phone patent lawsuit wars are the new way of beating your closest competition?