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Reuters: Google, Apple CEOs Conducting Phone Meetings In An Attempt To Quell Firestorm Of Lawsuits
Apple and Google are the drivers of two of the largest mobile operating systems in the world, iOS and Android. And it just so happens neither company is exactly the best of friends. Over the last several years, various events have transpired that have led to a world in which each and every day it seems like another lawsuit is started between the two companies (or in the case of Android, 3rd party supporters). But things could have finally gotten to a breaking point that is so dire, the CEOs themselves are stepping in.
Reuters is reporting that Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Larry Page recently held a phone meeting in which the two talked about various patent claims the companies have against one another as well as the other lawsuits involving 3rd party Android manufacturers such as Samsung. Things apparently went “OK” enough (certainly better than Apple and Samsung talks went) that another talk is planned in a couple weeks, though, according to Reuters no firm date or time has been planned just yet.
The more open response by Google is somewhat a given, considering their biggest supporter (Samsung) was just handed a $1 billion infringement fine by a court late last week over various patent related infringement claims launched by Apple. On the surface the loss is Samsung’s problem as most of the patents dealt with various UI design choices or underlying features that Samsung implemented into or on top of Android themselves. Meanwhile, Android in its stock form is considerably different in terms of appearance compared to stock iOS. Not to mention, infringing features of the underlying Android OS have been removed in the most recent versions such as Android 4.0 and 4.1 (ICS and Jelly Bean respectively).
But despite being a Samsung problem right now, if Apple gets lawsuit happy and begins going after other Android manufacturers, this whole battle between iOS and Samsung could become a battle between iOS and Android, and in turn, Apple and Google. And if Android manufacturers have to worry about costly litigation with Apple they will defect to other platforms. Windows Phone may not seem like the best alternate choice at the moment. But Microsoft is in an underdog position and more than happy to bend over backwards for new developers and customer support.
It’s a crazy world right now and this whole Apple/Samsung (and Apple/Google) lawsuit tango is far from over.
Source: Reuters
2012-08-31 05:03:32
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