Apple Compelled to Unveil HTC Settlement Details to Samsung

Apple has to disclose details of its patent-sharing agreement with HTC to its rival Samsung, a US court has ordered today. Earlier this month Apple and HTC reached a deal “that includes the dismissal of all current lawsuits and a ten-year license agreement” and which covers current and future patents owned by both companies. The details were not disclosed however.

Samsung, which is involved in a legal battle over patents in several countries around the globe, asked the court to order Apple to share these agreement details. The company is “almost certain” that some of the patents covered by the Apple-HTC deal are also involved in its dispute with Apple.

The ruling issued states that information has to be made available immediately, but for “attorneys’ eyes only”.

“It is clearly a very smart move from Samsung – because the general feeling is that a lot of its patent disputes with Apple are very likely to be similar to those between HTC and Apple,” said Andrew Milroy of consultancy Frost & Sullivan.

“And if there are similarities, it gives Samsung an advantage in any future legal issues and negotiations with Apple.”

Apple won USD1.05bn in damages from Samsung in a lawsuit this year.

“Apple has been having a really bad time of late in its legal battles,” said Mr Milroy. “They are going to have to re-examine the legal approach they take from here on.”

The patents battle is one that from some points of view has gone too far. The simplest moves become patent subjects (like sliding) and some of the most common options – like turning pages – got patented. As HTC and Apple have managed to reach an agreement after a long battle, which will be the conclusion of the Samsung-Apple legal fight?

Terror and Catastrophe Be Gone: Feeling Safe and Warm in Toasty Europe

This morning on the outskirts of Trier, Germany, we awoke positive and enthusiastic as ever. At noon, even despite the fact it is only 8 degrees Celsius, we still believe it when experts tells us Earth’s atmosphere and weather is just fine. The Gulf Stream is fine, we’re all just fine, and dandy too.

Eurovision 2013 and Why “What If” Won’t Ever Happen, Not Ever

This year’s Eurovision contest showed promise. Promise of human beings coming together in Europe, maybe across the world. Now, days after Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest, sanging the winning song in the finale, Only Teardrops the idea and ideology still enshrouds Europe. With Azerbaijan launching an investigation into its own voting schema, and an enrage Russian fan base, the Europe of medieval times just doesn’t seem so far off.

Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest - Courtesy Eurovision

ZOA Calls for Israel Commentary on Netzarim Junction Affair

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) is calling for the state of Israel to hold a press conference to address a new investigation into what they say is a libelous past report on a Palestinian youth shooting.

A world, a people, outraged by reporting of an incident - courtesy Al Durah Project

EXCLUSIVE: Columbia Sportswear Sends Out RFP

Just in, Columbia Sportswear has sent out a request for proposal (RFP) for entertainment marketing firms to attend a coming campaign to focus on the Columbia Sportswear target demographic. Columbia Sportswear Company owns Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL, Montrail and the Pacific Trail brands, but according to the request questionnaire the company sent out, the focus will be exclusively for the Columbia brand name.

Ronn Torossian on Brand Angelina Jolie

With Angelina Jolie being lauded as a hero worldwide for her valiant effort to have a preventative double mastectomy, there’s also the BRAND and PR story of Angelina Jolie. Even previous to this, Jolie’s brand has shined – Best-selling PR Book “For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations” by CEO of 5WPR Ronn Torossian had a section on Jolie.