JP
Apple has been sued by LA real estate developer Elliot Gottfurcht over technology used in the mobile version of Safari found on the iPhone. The suit claims that technology used by the Safari browser to navigate and display mobile-formatted sites infringes on a patent obtained in October 2008 by EMG Technology LLC, a company founded by Gottfurcht and two co-inventors.
While the patent likely has implications for other mobile browsers, such as those found on HTC and RIM devices, Gottfurcht’s lawyers are upfront about their specifically targeting Apple and their market-leading handset. “We haven’t looked at anything other than the iPhone,” lawyer Stanley Gibson, a partner with the Los Angeles law firm Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro revealed. “That was the device that we looked at. Obviously it’s very popular.”
Apple have declined to comment on the situation, stating that they do not comment on pending litigation. If EMG’s patent is upheld, however, it could have implications not only for the iPhone but for any other device capable of viewing mobile-formated content.
2 Responses to “Apple sued over iPhone Safari browser tech”
Bryan W November 28, 2008
“patent obtained in October 2008″
NeutralIs this correct? if so, They have no case against apple.. Please someone confirm this date..
jh December 8, 2008
bryan,
the date is right, but they still have a case against apple. infringement cases can occur regardless of when apple put out the iphone – the patent was filed for a while ago, so as long as the patent office deems the patent application patentable (novel, nonobvious, and useful) when the patent app was filed then the patent gets issued and has teeth. the thing is since it was issued so late, their damage claims probably cant be as high as they wouldve been if it was issued earlier (basically anything from october to now)
i read through the patent though and i dont really think the case is going to hold up. seems like the claims are a little shaky to hold up against mobilesafaris interface. maybe though. its a pretty big gray area.
i bet they end up settling though.
Neutral