HTC replies to Apple, talks history

The war of words has begun

18 March 2010 9:24 GMT / By Stuart Miles

HTC has responded to Apple's lawsuits with a statement that does not deny Apple's claims, but merely states the company's heritage in the smartphone business since 2002.

"HTC disagrees with Apple’s decision and would like to reiterate their commitment to innovation", goes the preamble before the issued statement.

Clearly positioning itself before battle rather than getting low and dirty straight away, the release, which was sent out on Thursday morning, states that it disagrees with Apple's legal action, (no surprise there) and that the company will defend itself against any possibly impending lawsuit:

“HTC disagrees with Apple’s actions and will fully defend itself", says CEO Peter Chou before going on to say "HTC strongly advocates intellectual property protection and will continue to respect other innovators and their technologies as we have always done, but we will continue to embrace competition through our own innovation as a healthy way for consumers to get the best mobile experience possible”.

After the words come details of the company's first smartphone - the O2 XDA - first released in 2002 complete with retro picture.

As not to mince words or mix the meaning of the statement here it is in full:

"HTC Corporation today outlined its disagreement with Apple’s legal actions and reiterated its commitment to creating a portfolio of innovative smartphones that gives consumers a variety of choices. Founded in 1997 with a passion for innovation and a vision for how smartphones would change people’s lives, HTC has continually driven this vision by consistently introducing award-winning smartphones with U.S. mobile operators".

“HTC disagrees with Apple’s actions and will fully defend itself. HTC strongly advocates intellectual property protection and will continue to respect other innovators and their technologies as we have always done, but we will continue to embrace competition through our own innovation as a healthy way for consumers to get the best mobile experience possible”, said Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC Corporation. “From day one, HTC has focused on creating cutting-edge innovations that deliver unique value for people looking for a smartphone. In 1999 we started designing the XDA".

"The O2 XDA by HTC was the first 3.5-inch color touch screen smartphone in the world in 2002 and T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition The T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition by HTC was the first 3.5-inch color touch screen smartphone in the United States in 2002., our first touch-screen smartphones, and they both shipped in 2002 with more than 50 additional HTC smartphone models shipping since then”.

"The industry has recognized HTC’s contributions through a variety of awards including Fast Company’s 2010 Top 50 Most Innovative Companies and MIT Technology Review’s 2010 50 Most Innovative Companies. The GSMA also recently awarded the HTC Hero as the “Best Phone of 2009”. Some of HTC’s technology firsts include":

"First Windows PDA (1998) First Windows Phone (June 2002) First 3G CDMA EVDO smartphone (October 2005) First gesture-based smartphone (June 2007) First Google Android smartphone (October 2008) First 4G WIMAX smartphone (November 2008)".

"In 2009, HTC launched its branded user experience, HTC Sense. HTC Sense is focused on putting people at the center by making phones work in a more simple and natural way. This experience was fundamentally based on listening and observing how people live and communicate".

“HTC has always taken a partnership-oriented, collaborative approach to business. This has led to long-standing strategic partnerships with the top software, Internet and wireless technology companies in the industry as well as the top U.S., European and Asian mobile operators”, said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America. “It is through these relationships that we have been able to deliver the world’s most diverse series of smartphones to an even more diverse group of people around the world, recognizing that customers have very different needs”.

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Comments

Apple can stick its patents right up its Khyber Pass! They are only taking this patent law suit because they are worried about the products that HTC are making. It will backfire on Apple. Posted by tonyhedges, United Kingdom
Apple should go forth and multiply. Posted by Sam Moon, UK
And they compare that junk running Windows to the iPhone? Come on...

Good on Apple for finally defending their unique inventions. About time Apple went on the offensive and stopped all the freeloaders.

And oh boy, is the UK sicko, when you see attitudes like Tony Hedges' above on boards like this. Posted by Jon T, UK
HTC should go have intercourse with itself Posted by Adam Bruce, Scotland