As part of its ongoing patents battle against Apple, HTC has asked the International Trade Commission to ban the import of all Apple iPad, iPod and iPhone devices into the US from offshore Apple manufacturing plants.
HTC is one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile phone manufacturers and as well as providing contract manufacturing services the company is thriving on the success of its Google Android-based smartphones like the Hero, Desire and Legend.
However, the company, which has more than12 smartphone products available in the States through deals with Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile has filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission over a patent dispute it has with Apple.
It is asking the International Trade Commission to block imports of Apple’s iPhone, iPod and iPad devices into the US from overseas manufacturing facilities.
HTC’s protective move
“As the innovator of the original Windows Mobile PocketPC Phone Edition in 2002 and the first Android smartphone in 2008, HTC believes the industry should be driven by healthy competition and innovation that offer consumers the best, most accessible mobile experiences possible,” said Jason Mackenzie, vice-president of North America, HTC Corporation.
“We are taking this action against Apple to protect our intellectual property, our industry partners, and most importantly our customers that use HTC phones,” Mackenzie said.
While HTC did not disclose what patents or intellectual property Apple has allegedly infringed, the action may be in retaliation against similar complaints Apple filed against HTC in March.
Apple asked the International Trade Commission to block imports of HTC’s Google Android-based mobile phones, including the Google-branded Nexus One as well as HTC’s Windows Mobile phones like the HD mini.
By John Kennedy
Photos: The Apple iPad (above), one of the devices that HTC is seeking to have banned from importing into the US, which follows on a similar action by Apple in March seeking to ban HTC Android-based devices (below)