Microsoft, Intel, and Oracle support Apple amidst iPhone ban

[David Tom]

The ongoing patent dispute between Samsung and Apple recently led to a ban on past iPhone and iPad models in the United States. Just a month ago, the International Trade Commission (ITC) found the Cupertino-based company to be guilty of patent infringement, restricting the sales of the iPhone 3G, 3Gs and 4, as well as the 3G models of the iPad and iPad 2. The ban is set to take effect on August 4th.

Interestingly, some of Apple’s technological rivals have decided to stand up for the punished firm. Companies including the likes of Microsoft, Intel and Oracle are claiming that bans linked to standards-essential patents should not be permitted unless the circumstances are extenuating.

Regardless of this support, it’s unlikely that the ruling will be overturned. According to betanews, an ITC ban has not been upended since 1987; a decision which once again permitted the importation of Samsung memory chips. This time, the power is in the hands of US Trade Representative Michael Froman, who has already been contacted by major phone carriers Verizon and AT&T in an attempt to plead their case.

Many might think that with the iPhone 5 already released, the older versions might be inconsequential to Apple. After all, Apple no longer sells the iPhone 3 or 3GS, anyways. However, contrary to popular belief, the iPhone 4 is still selling extremely well due to its attractive price point. As a matter of fact, between April and June of this year, the iPhone 4 amassed nearly 18 percent of all iPhone sales.

Although the loss of revenue is certainly bothering Apple, the ban should have little long-term effect on the company. Consumers and the media now have their sights set on the upcoming iPhone 5S. For all intents and purposes, the iPhone 4 will be old news in a few months.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/53433-microsoft-intel-and-oracle-support-apple-amidst-iphone-ban.html

 

[wastedkill]

Way too go microsoft, intel and oracle call out patents being misuse when apple gets a ban but when samsung gets a ban they don't bat a eyelid, I am calling apple begged for them to say something about apple bans how SAD!

 

[cliffordcooley]

Fail!! The iPhone 4 was released over 3 years ago. It seriously took them 3 years to find a patent infringement, banning now serves no purpose. There is no justice in a court system that takes so long to prosecute. Pass judgment quicker or don't pass judgment at all.

 

[Guest]

Apple, Intel, Oracle, Microsoft = USA, Samsung = Korea, surprise?

 

[lawfer]

This matters little.

Something the article seems to have gotten backwards is that this ITC ruling only bans the import of infringing devices, not the sale.

By the time the import ban takes effect, Apple will have imported millions and millions of iPhone 4s and iPad 2s from China; possibly enough to meet expectations while they produce the iPhone 5 successor.

 

[gamoniac]

It has got to matter a lot, otherwise MS, Intel, and Oracle wouldn't be standing behind Apple, It could set precedence for future dispute cases.

 

[misor]

Way too go microsoft, intel and oracle call out patents being misuse when apple gets a ban but when samsung gets a ban they don't bat a eyelid, I am calling apple begged for them to say something about apple bans how SAD!

because Apple is an American company and Samsung is not?

 

[lawfer]

It has got to matter a lot, otherwise MS, Intel, and Oracle wouldn't be standing behind Apple, It could set precedence for future dispute cases.

They are only doing it to protect their own interests, or possibly just on principle.

The point is future Apple devices will not infringe on these patents, as clearly demonstrated by the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5's exclusion from the ban.

 

[pmshah]

Penalty should have been to financially compensate the aggrieved party from the sales of such patent infringing products. This too should be at TWICE the going rate for so called "standard-essential" patents for flagrantly violating it in stead of licensing . This is like closing the barn after the horse has fled. The court decision makes no sense otherwise. For all you know Apple may have been a party to drag out the issue in court to rake in as much as possible.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Bah! Maybe Apple bribed these companies to stand up for them.

 

[Guest]

"because Apple is an American company and Samsung is not?"

Simply, yes. It's because they're all used to competing with each other. Why help competition they weren't used to in the first place? They can't really look good AND do something nice if they do that. They are smarter, excuse me, they have smarter people within their companies than people who would simply favor one company's nationality over another. It's all about the money. Plus bill and steve had respect for each other. Their companies still honor that. It wouldn't matter if Samsung started in America somehow because M$ and apple have a history as it is.

And Intel's just letting the public know it's still making stuff for us.

 

[Guest]

Even* if Samsung

 

[windmill007]

No wonder there will be a iPhone 5C. It all makes sense now.

 

[scorpionvenom]

Your spot on

Apple, Intel, Oracle, Microsoft = USA, Samsung = Korea, surprise?

 

[Railman]

All those companies are monopolies I have reason to dislike. Oracle gives me grief with their accounting systems. Intel overcharge on their mid range CPUs. Microsoft for a multitude of sofware crimes and finally Apple for inflicting iTunes on us.