Google Voices Support for HTC, After Causing Apple Lawsuit

Google has voiced its support for HTC after Apple announced it was suing the company for patent infringement.

Issuing a statement to TechCrunch, Google said, "We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it."

Unfortunately, for HTC it may actually be Google who sparked Apple's lawsuit. Analyst Shaw Wu with Kaufman Bros writes, "While we are not surprised with this lawsuit as AAPL has said that it intends to vigorously defend its intellectual property, we do find the timing somewhat curious. From our conversations with industry sources, we believe the recent introduction of basic multi-touch capability by HTC and (Google) likely triggered this. While the lawsuit doesn't name GOOG, we believe it is indirectly aimed at the company as well as at others including (Nokia), (Motorola), Samsung, LG, etc."


Analysts seem positive on Apple's lawsuit, especially against HTC who doesn't have the patent "war chest" to defend itself.

Analyst Charlie Wolf, in a note to investors with Needham & Company said he believes Apple has a good chance to win its suit against HTC which could result in patent violators being forced to change interface design or cease sale of their phones in the U.S.

"Apple invested heavily and imaginatively in designing a unique, disruptive smartphone," Wolf wrote. "In our view, the company has every right to protect the iPhone's unique features."

[via AppleInsider]