Apple's Patent War Against Android May Lead to Settlements Under Tim Cook's Influence

Bloomberg Businessweek publishes a cover story on the ongoing patent war between Apple and Android, outlining the history of the disputes between Apple and Android manufacturers such as HTC, Samsung and Motorola.

The report notes that Apple has actually experienced only limited success in its legal efforts, suggesting that Steve Jobs' vow to wage "thermonuclear war" against Android may be backfiring somewhat with Apple's soaring legal costs and retaliatory actions from its targets subjecting the company to risk while the benefits remain meager.

jobs war on android
Photograph by Jochen Seigle/Polaris

Corroborating claims from earlier this month regarding Apple's willingness to settle with the Android device manufacturers it has filed suit against, Bloomberg Businessweek reports that Apple and Samsung have "communicated lately" about settlement possibilities. The report suggests that settlement has become a more feasible option now that Apple is led by Tim Cook.

People familiar with the situation, however, note that top-level executives at both Apple and Samsung have communicated lately about potential settlement options. Apple CEO Tim Cook does not seem to share his predecessor’s passion about laying all foes to waste. Cook appears to view litigation as a necessary evil, not a vehicle of cosmic revenge.

Stanford University law professor Mark Lemley notes that the patent war has cost Apple and its opponents over $400 million over the past few years, and it is unclear just what benefits they have received for that massive sum of money. Lemley predicts that there will eventually be a major cross-licensing deal to bring the majority of the legal disputes to an end, but in the meantime the war continues to escalate as all sides continue to file new suits.

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Top Rated Comments

Eduardo1971 Avatar
170 months ago
Tim Cook is really blazing his own trail at Apple. Good for him. I'm sure he will leave a long lasting and positive imprint (just like Steve Jobs).

Very exciting times for Apple!
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StarHunter Avatar
170 months ago
Looks like Tim is really following Steve's last bit of advise:

"Never ask what I would do. Just do what's right."
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gpat Avatar
170 months ago
Steve Jobs was a genius and there was no doubt that he led Apple to being what it is today, but you have to recognize he was very short-sighted in some things, like having to destroy Android. I have to agree with Tim here, settling for licensing patents can be beneficial to both Apple and the Android OEMs.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dwalls90 Avatar
170 months ago
These patent wars are really old. Not just from Apple. Why can't we all just get along?

And that is why you are not a business person :)

Being nice rarely generates revenue, and allowing people to freely steal ideas hurts competition which hurts the end user.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Inakto Avatar
170 months ago
Lawyers love these battles, lol
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
radiohead14 Avatar
170 months ago
Mr Cook sees the long term and knows Apple is just going to win in Sales. What other companies are innovating? Everyone just seems to continue copying apple. IE- next year other tablets will have retina displays... wow. :eek:
give credit where it's due... Samsung for your retina displays

in addition.. Samsung has already demoed their hi-res displays last year as well:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-demos-two-2560x1600-pixels-10-displays-production-of-one-to-start-next-year_id23296 (http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-demos-two-2560x1600-pixels-10-displays-production-of-one-to-start-next-year_id23296)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)