The end of the global patent war on Android?


The surprise announcement yesterday of a patent cross-licensing deal between Apple and HTC hopefully signals the end of the former's global patent war against Android vendors. However, I'd rather see it end by having all of these patents invalidated by either the courts or the USPTO instead of money changing hands after confidential legal agreements. 

It's possible that Apple is starting to see some cracks forming in its patent firewall and is now opting to license rather than risk further challenges. If that's the case, they may well offer Samsung and other vendors more reasonable terms in order to take the courts out of the picture.

If Apple and Samsung finally settle between now and their next court date in December, that will be a strong indicator that this is what's happening. On the other hand it's also possible +Nilay Patel is right and the much smaller HTC is feeling the pressure and Apple wants to refocus on Samsung and Google. http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/10/3629516/why-apple-and-htc-settled-their-patent-litigation

We'll probably have a clearer picture in the next 6 weeks.  

Does HTC Deal Signal End to Apple’s Thermonuclear War Against Android?
Until its surprise announcement Saturday night, Apple had shown more interest in crushing Android phone makers than striking business deals with them. So what’s changed?

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