ITC bans HTC’s Android smartphones effective April 12th 2012

In the ongoing war between Apple and Android manufacturers, it looks like Apple may have scored a major victory against HTC, one of the more prominent and larger Android manufacturers. It appears that the ITC has decided that HTC violated two of Apple’s patents, and many had speculated months back that such a decision could result in a ban of HTC’s products.

Unfortunately it turns out that’s exactly what happened. The ITC has ordered the ban of most of HTC’s Android devices which is expected to take effect come April 2012. This is definitely a major blow to HTC as apparently 50% of HTC’s sales takes place in the US. You would think that HTC would be bummed out about this, but instead it appears that they are somewhat relieved.

Based on the ruling, HTC’s violation of Apple’s patents infringe upon the ‘721 and ‘983 patents as opposed to the ‘263 and ‘647 patents, which we assume would imply more serious consequences. According to HTC, the ‘647 patent involves a UI experience which HTC claims they will be more than happy to remove it from their phones. Will that be good enough to satisfy the judges? We can’t say for now, but let’s hope that this does not disrupt HTC’s plans for their quad-core smartphones for 2012!