Apple is the target of a lawsuit over its use of certain technologies within Safari Mobile, the browser used on both the iPhone and iPod touch devices. Filed in US District Court in Tyler, Texas, the suit alleges technologies that allow Apple to display and navigate web pages infringes on a patent awarded just last month to a Los Angeles based firm who also apparently has a location in Tyler.

EMG Technology is the holder of the patent. The company was founded by Elliot Gottfurcht along with two partners. Apple may not be the only one to be sued: the company said that it is also looking into suing HTC and RIM as well for similar infringement.

The patent involved, #7,441,196, is described as such on the US Patent Office website: as an “apparatus and method of manipulating a region on a wireless device screen for viewing, zooming and scrolling internet content.”

Lawyers for EMG elaborate:

“the ‘196 patent claims cover the display of Internet content reformatted from HTML to XML on mobile devices — the industry standard currently displayed by the iPhone. Additional patent claims include the technology for manipulating a region of the screen for zooming and scrolling.”

It did admit in an interview with Reuters that it specifically targeted Apple due to it’s popularity. I have to say, however, wouldn’t it have been probably more worth it to go after RIM since it has about three times the share right now? Just a thought.

Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro have been tapped to represent EMG in the case. This law firm has experience in prosecuting some large infringement cases, including a $1.35 billion verdict against Medtronic in 2005, one of the largest judgements ever for an intellectual property dispute.

Damages in this case are unspecified, however.

Apple is not commenting on the situation as it has a standing policy of not commenting on ongoing litigation.

 
3 Comments


Read more: Apple, iPhone, Safari Mobile