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Why is HTC being sued and not Android - Because HTC is an corporate entity that makes money off Android - Android isn't a corporate entity on its own - who woul

by ben1040 15y ago

Why is HTC being sued and not Android - Because HTC is an corporate entity that makes money off Android - Android isn't a corporate entity on its own - who would they sue if they wanted to sue Android? Google develops Android and markets it, and I would assume that they could be sued for developing an infringing product. Google most certainly makes money, and a lot of it, from Android. But Google makes no phones on its own, unlike HTC and Samsung, so Apple goes after those companies to keep the devices from being imported into the US. And Apple can fight Android in a legal proxy war rather than directly suing Google.

rryan 15y ago
> Google most certainly makes money, and a lot of it, from Android. Could you explain how you are most certain of this? I don't believe they make any money from Android. If you mean they make a lot of money on ads from customers accessing their services via a mobile device -- then fair enough but that's not "from Android" any more than they make tons of money "from the iPhone".
- MatthewPhillips 15y ago
  They've released figures in the past that Android is profitable on its own; meaning irregardless to the effect on search profits. They make money on selling Google Apps, Maps service, etc to manufacturers and carriers.
  - shagrath 15y ago
    "They make money on selling Google Apps, Maps service, etc to manufacturers and carriers." Would love a source on this... AFAIK Google never publicly said Android Trademark and Google Apps were not free (apart from the obligation to pass the CTS test suite)
nissimk 15y ago
Apple is actually taking this up with HTC and Motorola. They're not suing Samsung, possibly because they do a lot of business with them, and possibly because Samsung has a much larger patent portfolio with which they can defend themselves. Initiating patent infringement is not without risks when you go up against someone with a large arsenal that they can fight back with.
- fpgeek 15y ago
  Uh, Apple is suing Samsung: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383820,00.asp http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383820,00.asp They may not be suing Samsung over this particular patent, but that could easily change.

by ben1040 15y ago

rryan 15y ago

> Google most certainly makes money, and a lot of it, from Android. Could you explain how you are most certain of this? I don't believe they make any money from Android. If you mean they make a lot of money on ads from customers accessing their services via a mobile device -- then fair enough but that's not "from Android" any more than they make tons of money "from the iPhone".

MatthewPhillips 15y ago
They've released figures in the past that Android is profitable on its own; meaning irregardless to the effect on search profits. They make money on selling Google Apps, Maps service, etc to manufacturers and carriers.
- shagrath 15y ago
  "They make money on selling Google Apps, Maps service, etc to manufacturers and carriers." Would love a source on this... AFAIK Google never publicly said Android Trademark and Google Apps were not free (apart from the obligation to pass the CTS test suite)

nissimk 15y ago

Apple is actually taking this up with HTC and Motorola. They're not suing Samsung, possibly because they do a lot of business with them, and possibly because Samsung has a much larger patent portfolio with which they can defend themselves. Initiating patent infringement is not without risks when you go up against someone with a large arsenal that they can fight back with.

fpgeek 15y ago
Uh, Apple is suing Samsung: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383820,00.asp http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383820,00.asp They may not be suing Samsung over this particular patent, but that could easily change.