Apple lawsuit details patent licensing
Apple Inc. licensed its prized design patents to Microsoft Corp. but with an “anti-cloning agreement” to prevent copying of its iPhone and iPad, an Apple executive testified today during the trial in the company’s patent lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Reuters reported. Apple claims Samsung copied its iPhone and iPad, while the Korean company says Apple infringes several of its wireless technology patents. BorisTeksler testified that Apple offered a clutch of patents for licensing but, crucially, viewed patents related to what he called the “unique user experience” as a highly protected category. Those included design patents at issue in the lawsuit, covering the look and feel of the iPhone and iPad.