Google’s Eric Schmidt Claims Apple is Suing Instead of Innovating

Yesterday we posted about Apple’s ITC patent victory over HTC, putting the smartphone maker’s Android line in jeopardy. Now, it looks like Google’s Executive Chairman, Eric Schmidt has gone on the offensive to support HTC and attack Apple with some strong claims.

In an interview in Tokyo at Google’s Mobile Revolution conference, Schmidt had a lot on his mind. He mentioned Apple’s lawsuit was based on jealousy and intended to shutdown its growing competitor.

“The big news in the past year has been the explosion of Google Android handsets and this means our competitors are responding,” he said.

“Because they are not responding with innovation, they’re responding with lawsuits.

“We have not done anything wrong and these lawsuits are just inspired by our success.”

The final ITC ruling will be determined by the end of the year, and if Apple wins it would bring up challenges for the Android platform. The two patents in question are based on data transmission and detection within email and SMS. HTC could end up settling out of court with Apple.

Is Apple really suing its competitors instead of innovating? I tend to disagree. Let’s look back to 2007, when Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone at Macworld. His key words during the introduction of the iPhone’s multitouch gestures were:

“…and boy, have we patented it”.

YouTube video

As it currently stands, no other company has been able to match the fluidity and accuracy of Apple’s Multi-Touch interface. If there’s one company that is not innovating, that’s Samsung with their recently ‘approved’ Smart Case for the Galaxy Tab (which, Samsung later ‘removed’ from sale).

[PerthNow]

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