Hasta La Gadget!

Yes, we’ve now reached the point in the ongoing Apple v. Samsung brouhaha where we’re having lawsuits revealed within lawsuits. As spotted by FOSS Patents‘ Florian Mueller, Apple’s recent complaint against Samsung that led to a preliminary injunction blocking sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Europe also contained a brief passage indicating that Apple is suing Motorola over the decidedly tablet-like Xoom as well. What’s not clear, however, is whether Apple is also seeking an injunction against Motorola to block sales of the Xoom, but Mueller suggests that is indeed likely (Apple has also reportedly sued and received an injunction against local German tablet manufacturer JAY-tech). Of course, Apple and Motorola are no strangers to legal entanglements, but this is the first time we’ve seen things spread beyond phones to tablets.

Apple’s Samsung complaint reveals it’s also suing Motorola over the Xoom originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s facing yet another patent infringement lawsuit — this time, in Florida, where a company called Operating Systems Solutions (OSS) is taking aim at OS X’s fast booting operation. According to court documents, the plaintiff alleges that Cupertino’s function (most prominently displayed on this year’s MacBook Air refresh) violates at least one protected claim, which details a four-step method for speedy booting, and involves files like config.sys and autoexec.bat (seriously). Interestingly enough, the patent in question was originally granted to LG Electronics, back in 2002, but is currently owned by the little-known OSS. It’s still unclear whether or not LG has any involvement with the suit, but we’ll bring you the details as soon as they emerge. In the meantime, you can hit the coverage link below to dig in to the full complaint.

[Thanks, Lucian]

Apple faces infringement lawsuit over fast booting patent once owned by LG originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zediva’s loophole-exploiting DVD rental service has just been dealt a lethal blow by Judge John F. Walter. The recent court-ordered preliminary injunction effectively halts the company’s ability to rent its library to users across the internet’s great streaming divide. Citing irreparable damages to both the nascent video on demand market and Hollywood’s bottom line, the federal judge found Zediva’s business in violation of studios’ exclusive right to public performance of copyrighted works. The bizarro Netflix alternative had been operating without the normal licensing restrictions required by the industry and despite its claims of imminent ruination, will have to close shop. For its part, the unique startup has vowed to appeal the ruling, but if that doesn’t work, at least its creators can watch No Strings Attached ad nauseum.

Zediva’s DVD rental service ordered to close shop, Hollywood pops celebratory bubbly originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest twist in the on-going Apple / Samsung patent soap opera is a doozy, particularly for Android fans Down Under. Samsung will not be advertising or selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia, at least until the Korean company gets court approval to do so — or until the suit is resolved. Due to differences between the US and Australian versions of the Android tablet, Samsung is required to present the device to Apple at least seven days before its planned launch. Apple claims that the US version of the tablet infringes on ten of the company’s patents.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales halted in Australia by Apple suit originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Talk about swift justice. It’s been less than a week since we reported on Personal Audio’s second infringement suit against Apple, and an East Texas judge has already put an end to the litigation. In a statement regarding the company’s complaint that the iPad 2, iPhone 4, and latest generation iPods infringed on the same patents put forth in its initial suit, Judge Ron Clark said the $8 million already awarded to the plaintiff should do just fine. He went on to deny the company’s request for a second trial. It may not be the last we hear of Personal Audio, but it is a refreshing change of pace from the usual goings on in Eastern District courtrooms.

Judge shoots down Personal Audio’s second Apple infringement case originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 03:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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