∞ Apple files motion to intervene in Lodsys patent case

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Patent troll Lodsys is going after seven independent iOS developers, claiming that they’re in violation of its patents. Now Apple has filed a motion to intervene in the case, according to the FOSS Patents blog.

Apple claims the developers Lodsys is suing lack the resources Apple has, along with the technical information to “adequately protect Apple’s rights under its license agreement.” To recap, Apple says that it has licensed Lodsys patents and that its developers are free to use them. Lodsys disagrees.

Hat tip: MacRumors



  • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

    I hope for his own sake that Dan Abelow slowly starts to feel a bit uneasy. The kind of unease he knew as a boy. The kind of unease he felt when the older brother of a kid he tried to steal money from in the schoolyard, laid his hand on his shoulder. What comes next won’t be pretty.

    • http://www.acid-product.co.uk Ian Davies

      Why? Dan isn’t the one trying to sue anyone. He sold the patents in question to Lodsys years ago. Mark Small is the one you should be directing your ill feeling towards.

      • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

        I’m sorry, you’re absolutely right, I corrected it.

  • http://www.theuniversalsteve.com Anonymous

    Here comes the cavalry!

  • Anonymous

    I’m a registered developer with no products out, yet. So, assuming Apple is successful, this would seem to not only clear up this Lodsys thing, but also set a precedent to help dissuade other predatory patent trolls from harassing us.

    • Peter Cohen

      Possibly. While this is going on, another firm is suing to have Lodsys’ patents invalidated altogether. So Lodsys is seeing blowback on multiple fronts. I personally hope Lodsys dies in a fire.

      • Anonymous

        Yep. They are trying to argue that the patents are too vague, totally lack any tech and actually block invention and should be invalidated. And they could win. 

    • Anonymous

      Not at all. 

      The issue here is that Apple has gone on the public record saying that they licensed said ‘tech’ on your behalf. So they are the ones that LodSys should be dealing with. The information you and the others lack is the exact language of said agreements. And yet that agreement is the core of any defense. Thus Apple has to be a party to the case so that you can mount a suitable defense. 

      And once in, Apple will file for a dismissal of the case on the grounds that the tech is properly licensed and likely demand that Lodsys be mad to pay all fees on behalf of the folks that never should have been sued. 

      And thus this scare tactic attempt will fail. 

      But if you use something that is patented that Apple didn’t license, you are on your own. Even if it is another of these ‘we don’t’ make anything we just sue folks’ companies.