Andre Yoskowitz
9 Jul 2010 16:26
The intellectual property holding company NTP has sued giants Apple, Google, HTC, LG, Microsoft and Motorola this week over patents pertaining to the delivery of email on smartphones.
Each company either makes smartphones, or creates the software used on them.
NTP is alleging that each company has infringed on up to eight patents.
The holding company won over $600 million in damages from BlackBerry maker RIM in 2006 for a similar suit.
NTP has been called a "patent troll" by the industry, one that is making money off the innovation of others. NTP does not agree.
"Use of NTP's intellectual property without a license is just plain unfair to NTP and its licensees," said Donald E. Stout, NTP's co-founder, via CNet. "Unfortunately, litigation is our only means of ensuring the inventor of the fundamental technology on which wireless email is based, Tom Campana, and NTP shareholders are recognized, and are fairly and reasonably compensated for their innovative work and investment. We took the necessary action to protect our intellectual property."
(Pic found here)