Google has responded very cautiously to the ruling in Apple’s patent victory over Samsung in the US, a ruling that could affect its Android operating system. Google released a statement on Sunday, in the wake of a ruling by a jury that Samsung had infringed on multiple Apple software and design features. The jury ordered […]
Google has responded very cautiously to the ruling in Apple’s patent victory over Samsung in the US, a ruling that could affect its Android operating system. Google released a statement on Sunday, in the wake of a ruling by a jury that Samsung had infringed on multiple Apple software and design features.
The jury ordered Samsung to pay Apple over $1bn. Samsung says it will be appealing the ruling.
In its statement Google said the claims did not relate to its mobile operating system Android.
It also stated that the mobile industry is ‘building on ideas that have been around for decades’.
The statement reads:
The court of appeals will review both infringement and the validity of the patent claims. Most of these don’t relate to the core Android operating system, and several are being re-examined by the US Patent Office. The mobile industry is moving fast and all players – including newcomers – are building upon ideas that have been around for decades. We work with our partners to give consumers innovative and affordable products, and we don’t want anything to limit that.
Apple has so far been reluctant to target Google directly with a lawsuit, but this new ruling could change that.
Unlike Apple, which makes both iPhone and iPad software and hardware, until recently Google made Android software but leaves the manufacturing of phones and the customization of specific Android features to other companies, like Samsung and HTC.
Google gives the Android software to manufacturers at no charge. Instead, it makes money on Android indirectly, by selling mobile ads, along with apps and media in its Google Play store.
But its recent acquisition of Motorola put it in direct competition with Apple in the smartphone making market. That could change as Google makes or designs more products itself.
However, if Apple really went after Google, it could end up hurting its own products.
The iPhone includes a Google search bar in its Safari browser, and Google offers some popular apps, like one for Gmail, in Apple’s App Store.
A direct attack could cause Google to remove such features from the iPhone and make it a less attractive product to consumers.
That kind of relationship has not stopped Apple in the past, though. Samsung, for instance, is a major supplier to Apple of iPhone parts like chips and screens.
