Google Lends a Helping Hand to HTC in Legal Fight Against Apple

Apple has feuds with many mobile phone makers around the world, especially with successful ones, and HTC is no stranger to that.

The company has been sued by Apple over the alleged violation of various patents, and has even lost some battles in court, but it seems that it might have a few aces up its sleeve, and that the tables could easily turn in its direction.

Apple has sued HTC claiming that the latter's Android devices infringe some of its patents, and HTC has just filed a lawsuit against the Cupertino-based company alleging that various Apple devices violate a series of its patents.

Nothing surprising here, since HTC sued Apple before, except for the fact that the patents in question have been all just purchased from Google.

Three of the patents that Apple's devices allegedly infringe originated from Openwave Systems, two came from Palm, and four of them were initially Motorola's.

What's interesting to note is that all of these patents have been purchased by Google prior to the intended acquisition of Motorola, and that they have been transferred to HTC as of September 1st, 2011.

What's obvious is that Google has finally started to lend a hand to its partners so as to help them in the restless battle against Apple.

HTC is only one of the companies that have Android-based mobile phones available for purchase around the world and also only one of those engaged in legal battles with Apple.

Samsung, for example, is another company that has been at war with the Mac maker for quite some time now, and which lost a few battles, resulting on some of its devices being banned from various European markets.

However, it appears that Google is now showing its loyalty to partners, and that the company is providing them with the needed support to ensure that Android devices continue to be available for purchase on the market.

As a recent report from DigiTimes reads, Google's actions won't remain unnoticed, and that will certainly be a great thing for the company, especially following the recent acquisition of Motorola, which made some partners wonder whether the Internet giant will remain committed to them.

Chances that Google might sue Apple directly are minimal, but the company will offer support for its partners that need it in the patent war that the iPhone designer is fighting with Android vendors, showing that it is there when needed, perhaps just the right thing to do to ensure that the ecosystem is moving forward.