To Sue or Not to Sue?

The Suing Trend is apparently being abandoned by none other than Quantum Research, according to news today. The company has issued a statement saying "Quantum has no knowledge of any infringement by Apple of Quantum's patents in regard to the iPhone or any other product other than those products alleged to be infringing in our 2005 lawsuit against Apple and Cypress Semiconductor, specifically the Powerbook trackpad, Mighty Mouse, and iPod Nano scroll wheel." Good news, wouldn't you say?

But wait, why all this suing talk about Quantum Research? Well, because just last week, Duncan Bryan, licensing director at Quantum Research, said the following: "The description of the iPhone suggests it uses a rear-surface touch screen, and has proximity sensing which can tell if it is held to the ear. That’s a QR capability". This sounded like a warning to Apple for a potential patent infringement lawsuit.

Apparently, they radically changed their mind in regard to this alleged lawsuit. They now claim "Until the iPhone product is made available for public sale, we have to make the operating assumption that no Quantum patents have been violated". Giving Apple the benefit of the doubt? Or maybe they've received a phone call...?

The first lawsuit Quantum Research filed against Apple was in December 2005 and regarded the iPod player. They claim the capacitive sensing technology used in iPod Click Wheels for 1st and 2nd generation iPod Nanos employing Cypress’ PSoC chip infringes on Quantum Research's existing charge transfer patents. The lawsuit is not yet settled.

The fact remains, Quantum Research will not be suing Apple again any time soon. Or at least not until the iPhone launch. Stay posted for more information on the matter.

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