Cross-Licensing Agreement with HTC means even More Cash for Apple

Just when you thought the odds couldn’t turn any further in their favor, Apple comes away with another big legal victory. Of course, all of these huge settlements being in Apple’s favor makes sense if you buy the idea that they are constantly getting ripped off by companies like HTC, Samsung, Microsoft, and Google… In the latest legal news, the Cupertino company’s long-standing dispute with HTC appears to be closing with a 10-year cross-licensing agreement.

HTC joins Microsoft in boasting a cross-licensing agreement with Apple. While it appears both sides are quite thrilled to be ending all patent litigation, Tim Cook must be especially thrilled if there is any truth to the claim that Apple will now be earning as much as $8 on every HTC phone… If you have an idea of what HTC generally ships and care to crunch some numbers, then you’ve figured out that the $8 figure per device could mean between  $180 million to $280 million for Apple in 2013.

HTC CEO Peter Chou had nothing negative to say about the settlement; instead, he apparently hopes to refocus his company by ending the litigation:

“HTC is pleased to have resolved its dispute with Apple, so HTC can focus on innovation instead of litigation.”

But then, moving beyond the litigation, Tim Cook won’t be settling for plain old “focus” for Apple:

“We are glad to have reached a settlement with HTC. We will continue to stay laser focused on product innovation.”

That’s what all these companies are missing when they dare to do the legal dance with Apple—lasers.

About the Author

Devin Wieland

 

Best Free Apps of the Day!