HTC is using nine patents bought from Google last week to pursue new infringement claims against Apple, Bloomberg reports. Google had taken ownership of the patents less than a year ago, with four of the patents originating from Motorola, three from Openwave Systems and two from Palm. Google wouldn't discuss reasons for the nine transfers to HTC. HTC now has more ammunition in its fight to fend off multiple patent-infringement claims lodged by Apple that contend phones running Google's Android operating system copy the iPhone. HTC sued Apple on 7 September in federal court in Delaware and filed a complaint at the US International Trade Commission, alleging infringement of the patents obtained from Google. The lawsuit contends the Mac computer, iPhone, iPod, iPad, iCloud and iTunes are infringing patents for a way to upgrade software wirelessly; a way to transfer data between a microprocessor and a support chip; a method to store user preferences, and a way to provide consistent contact between application software and a radio modem. HTC also amended a complaint with the trade commission, adding five of the former Google patents to a case that targets many of the same products. The patents in the ITC case relate to an interface that lets the user add identifiers such as .com or .org; an interface that enlarges characters being typed; a way to display information on mobile devices; and status bars that let a user check phone calls, text messages or calendar events.
