HTC: Our phones don't infringe Apple patent
In the face of ongoing claims by Apple of patent violations, HTC insists that it's playing by the rules.
HTC believes it's free and clear of infringing on a key Apple patent despite allegations to the contrary by the iPhone maker.
This week, Apple filed its third complaint against HTC in the past three years with the U.S. International Trade Commission. The company is alleging that HTC is still violating the same Apple patents that triggered a recent ban on imports of the HTC One X and Evo 4G LTE.
Following the initial complaint, HTC said that it took steps to work past Apple's U.S. Patent No. 5,946,647, also known as the data tapping patent. The ITC obviously agreed since the ban was lifted, freeing up the two phones to pass through U.S. Customs.
Apple clearly wasn't happy with the decision. In its latest complaint, the company is calling on the ITC to issue an emergency order to block all imports of HTC's phones and tablets. Apple is seeking a ban on a full 29 HTC devices, from the HTC One X to the Droid Incredible 2.
In response to the ongoing patent battle, an HTC spokeswoman told CNET that the company "has completed the review process with U.S. Customs, and HTC devices have been released as they are in compliance with the ITC's ruling."
Whoever ends up winning the current round, the legal system is clearing growing weary of all the import ban requests being fired back and forth by Apple and other tech players.
Judge Sherry Fallon of the U.S. District Court of Delaware recently ordered Apple and HTC to try to hammer out an agreement.
The Federal Trade Commission has also warned against companies so quickly turning to import bans, saying that they could cause "substantial harm" to consumers, competition, and innovation.
Updated at 10 a.m. PT with response from HTC.