A new investigation kicks off by the U.S. International Trade Commission today into Apple’s claims that Taiwanese-based HTC is infringing on its patents.
Despite the impression that the suit will take a much larger toll on the smaller HTC, the handset-maker maintains that it’s business as usual. “It’s part of business…We need to face it and everyone can talk it through,” said HTC’s CEO Peter Chou, who appeared at a press conference where HTC launched new smartphones, according to Reuters.
Last month, Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) sued HTC, claiming it infringed on 20 hardware and software patents related to the iPhone. Just because the ITC is looking into the claims doesn’t mean that it believes the case is particularly strong, however, the ITC has the power to order a ban on HTC phones if a violation is found. Part of HTC’s defense is that it’s been making smartphones for way longer than Apple.
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