Smartphone makers Apple and HTC settle their patent disputes

Apple and HTC, a Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer, have settled all of their patent disputes. The initial legal battle began more than two years ago, with issues over technology patents moving back and forth between the companies.

Apple and HTC announced that they developed a 10-year licensing agreement, which grants rights to current and future patents to be held by the two businesses. No information is available as of yet regarding the financial disclosures of the smartphone manufacturers.

When HTC released its Android phone, the market became rather competitive for Apple, as more consumers began purchasing the Android instead of the iPhone, according to the source. This may have played a role in the patent lawsuits. However, other intellectual property lawsuits still abound, particularly the major legal battle between Apple and Samsung.

"It's the first major sign of a stand-down we've seen in the smartphone wars," Christopher Carani, a patent lawyer with McAndrews Held & Malloy in Chicago, told The New York Times in an interview regarding the settlement.

Carani went on to say that such a settlement is not likely to take place between Apple and Samsung, as more important patents are at play in these lawsuits.

What businesses should do to avoid patent disputes

First and foremost, businesses that are developing a new product, service or technological process should study the patents that have already been obtained in their particular field. On the transaction side business clients should seek a through review of their intellectual property protection. When an intellectual property dispute does arise, litigation services provided by business attorneys in Phoenix could prove invaluable.

Various agreements, for example, can be made between companies – such as the licensing contract between Apple and HTC – to ensure that patent law is followed favorably for both parties.

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