IP Lawsuits: There’s one born every minute

The latest Apple v. Samsung case is just the tip of the iceberg.

In a trend Matt Asay recently dubbed ‘patent insanity’, the likes of Google, Nokia, HTC and even Amazon have joined old culprit Microsoft in turning their attention to feuding over IP.  This pattern is leading to concerns that innovation will be stifled in the electronic market.

After the introduction of the Android smartphone in January 2010 the late Steve Jobs declared:   ‘I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product.  I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this’.

His infamous knack for prediction would appear to be on the money once again as bloggers liken battles over IP between corporate giants to ‘WWIII’.  Certainly, IP suits have become fiercer, and with higher stakes.

The latest suit launched by Google against Apple threatens to ban iPhones, iPads and iPods from entry into the U.S., worth an estimated $120 billion in annual revenue.

Clearly, the current climate is not one in which to underestimate the value of IP.  If you are in doubt as to whether or not your invention ought to be patented or be protected in some other way, we can offer specialist advice.