Acer
Patent Licensing Firm Hits Phone Makers with Lawsuits
Alliacense today announced new patent litigation it is filing against 13 different companies, many of which make mobile products. Alliacense alleges that the companies involved are violating the patents held by MMP Portfolio, which is a patent-holding and licensing firm contributed to and run by a number of other organizations. The companies being sued include Acer, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Garmin, HTC, Huawei, Kyocera, LG Electronics, Nintendo, Novatel Wireless, Samsung Electronics, Sierra Wireless, and ZTE. Alliacense and MMP have filed complaints with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking to prevent the companies involved from importing the infringing products. It also filed action seeking damages for past infringement that includes triple unpaid royalties and interest, plus attorney's fees; and injunctions barring future products from entering the U.S. Alliacense and MMP Portfolio didn't specify the nature of the patents involved in the litigation.
Kodak Sues Apple for Interfering with Its Patent Sale
Eastman Kodak on Monday filed a lawsuit in Manhattan against Apple, claiming that the iPhone maker is wrongfully asserting ownership of 10 patents and thereby throwing a wrench into Kodak's efforts to sell those patents. Kodak is accusing Apple of attempting to "delay and derail" its patent sale. In a statement, Kodak said, "Apple's strategy has been to use its substantial cash position to delay as long as possible the payment of royalties to Kodak and to interfere [with the sale]. Apple and FlashPoint (an Apple spin-off that is also claiming ownership) are seeking to benefit from Kodak's difficult financial position, which will be exacerbated if the debtors cannot obtain fair value for the patents." Kodak is requesting that Apple's ownership claims of the patents in question be dismissed.
Microsoft Names More Handset Partners
Microsoft today announced that more hardware makers will soon be bringing Windows Phone 7 devices to market. Acer, Fujitsu Limited, and ZTE Corporation all join Dell, HTC, LG, Nokia, and Samsung. The first Nokia WP7 device will have Mango.
Hands-On: Acer Iconia Smart
Phone Scoop spent a few moments with Acer's massive new Android device, the Iconia Smart. Is there anything redeeming about the awkward 21:9 display?
