Apple wins a preliminary injunction against the Galaxy Nexus; we're giving one away right this second!

By Phil Nickinson  | Jun 29 2012 | 7:41 pm  | 4944 Comments

Galaxy Nexus

Apple ... blah blah blah ... Google ... blah blah blah ... Patent ... blah blah blah ... Search ... blah blah blah ... Banned ... Blah blah blah.

Frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a shit. Lawyers are doing what lawyers are wont to do. This is only growing more ridiculous with each passing day.

In fact, here's how much I don't care. We're going to give away another Galaxy Nexus right here, right now. Because despite this ruling, they're still shipping. It's just lawyers being lawyers.

Here's how to win: Leave a comment in this post about how messed up all this patent nonsense is. We'll pick a winner by noon EST Saturday, June 30. Everyone's invited. Not just in the U.S.

Here are a few links about today's news, if you still wanna read more: Reuters; FOSS Patents

Phil Nickinson

Phil Nickinson Editor in Chief

"Phil is a recovering print journalist, editor of Android Central, subtitles and street signs."

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There are 4944 comments

jeffries.55 says:

The design patent that struck down the galaxy tab sales is just ridiculous. The fact that they were awarded a patent on a rectangle with rounded corners is even more ridiculous.

bseblman says:

Patents are too damn broad in content that just about anything can violate a patent even though it's clear that something is different from the product they're questioning. I mean, come on, the Nexus is almost twice as big as the iphone and does things differently, but it's still getting pinged by Apple's lawyers for patent violation...only reason being because the patents in question are too broad and Apple hates Google. Please end this patent madness! No lawyer wants to, but the world in general does. Just do it! Thanks.

cpoulos says:

They are being big babies about this.

LightningGA says:

All hail Apple!!! Soon all crosses at churches will be replaced with a giant Apple symbol. All this patent litigation nonsense is getting out of hand. Here's an idea, redesign the entire IPhone and IOS concept to boost sales, instead of recycling the same idea over and over. It's gotten old and stale in this technological frenzy we are in.

burritoville says:

The worst part about all of this is that all this serves to do is stifle advancement in the longterm.

05GT says:

The whole Apple suing EVERYONE for patent infringements is getting out of hand!

ubermanx says:

It's a shame they spend so much on lawyers instead of consumers.

mallsjr says:

All this patent talk is a bunch of bull. Apple should spend more time innovating their own products then stifling the progress of others.

chubb says:

The problem is the patent system and Apple knows how to play them. The search patent is bs. They look for patent that are granted but don't include mobile and touchscreen in them. Then they file for it and the system grants it to em. You could click a email or web address on computers for decades. Its nothing new. Apple can't keep up with the competition anymore. The reason, their closed source and use proprietary tech instead of industry standards. That's why they only have so much to show every year. With android and Microsoft handling the software and letting manufactures handle hardware those two can move their OS's along a lot faster. Apple is now just slowing down the inevitable. In a few years they won't be front page news and they now that, that's why they abuse the patent system and just try to kill all competition.

mooseo21 says:

Enough with all this patent back and forth garbage

evowannabe says:

At least this will give the nexus some PR. Maybe the forbidden fruit will draw in new customers. Plus Google should patent a turd and sue Apple when the iPhone 5 is announced 8)

va2azerik says:

Apple just needs to stop this now. If anything HP/Palm need to sue because they hold the patent on the smartphone itself, and you don't see them dragging everyone to court every other month! Now send that Nexus to me :)

Outrager says:

This is getting crazy. Doesn't Samsung make components for Apple products too? Imagine a world where Apple sued Samsung out of business and then Apple couldn't release their products because no one else but Samsung was able to make the components they needed.

SlappyMcgee says:

I am going to laugh so hard a(nd party) when all of the Cell Phone Mfg's and anyone else that apple has PO'd comes at them all at once and slaps them with a wet fish :)

Nathan_SG says:

I want to win this G Nex just to stick it to Apple.

romeytang says:

This whole patent war is getting ridiculous. Can't we just use the device's own merits and flaws to make the sale to consumers. Given enough time I hope this all gets resolved but until then let me vote with my wallet dammit!

damian.grant says:

Big corporate crybabies. We didn't make our billions this year. let's take someone else's!

mdeeds97 says:

I guess that the Galaxy Nexus is too much of a black rectangle with a slide to unlock function. I can't believe judges accept this kind of stuff.

bobbob1016 says:

Seems like Apple is following "If you can't beat them, sue them!" I don't know anyone who would confuse a Nexus for an iPhone. Even with the original bad blood/redesign thing, all that happened was Google had an extra few months to redesign.

jeffkniep says:

blah blah blah....screw Apple. If their products were as good as they think they are, they wouldnt worry about the Droid!!! Bring on that Nexus Tab baby!!!

Christopher Golden says:

I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on a Nexus phone to try vanilla Android. Waiting for Sense, TouchWiz, etc. upgrades is tedious.

celuwolf says:

Surely the next years apple stop being a business tecnology to be converted simply in a study of lawyers.

tlo07 says:

I can understand protecting your patents, Apple, but blocking the sale of Samsung's devices is just wrong. You should be entitled to monetary damages if anything. Don't take away the consumer's choices!

dkotoric says:

Unbelievable, how long will this crap go for, instead of trying to advance in making the best products possible these lawyers do their best to push us back.

acard811 says:

This is ridiculous! Haters gonna hate..

SUTHRNFRIED says:

This is disgusting. As an apple user myself I'm embarrassed by how apple gets away with this farce. They speak of innovation but what have they innovated lately? An unchanging platform since 2007 in which most of there "breakthrough" enhancements have come from the jailbreak community. Apple is so afraid of competition that it will through it's gobs of money at anyone who can be seen as a threat to there growing monopoly. This is nothing more than text book bullying. Like I said before I'm an embarrassed apple user and so frustrated in fact by what they do there users, much less other platform users, that I'm selling off all my apple products and going back to PC and android.
If all companies followed apples bully model then I guess Ford should sue all the other car manufactures for copying a vehicle and then corner the market until all your left with is Ford. That's what this is about. If apple keeps this up then you'll be basically told what you can buy only is apple.
Innovation? HA!!! Innovation means improving the wheel, not hoarding onto a dead design and being threatened by those who do improve it and did what you could not. Of apple really wants to set an example then they should do it by actually innovating they're products to push the envelope and create fair competition instead of buying there dictatorship.
Screw you apple, you can have your stupid phone and all your other crap back. I'd rather go play in the sandbox that hasn't been pissed in.

kashanova says:

Fuck apple. Fuck the way they try to
compete. It's bullshit. That's all I have to say.

shaunypat says:

I've been wanting a Gnex unlocked for awhile; Pick me and I'll even include a video of me DESTROYING my Iphone 4 on AT&T, after I switch to an unlocked HSPA+ Gnex, of course. Apple has crossed the line with all this patent nonsense, and I have had enough...I wanna come home. "I'M MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE"!!

phonetec says:

this is worse then the time my mom cheated on my dad with the cable guy so we could get free HBO

Brettbesa says:

I love Android and have nothing against Apple... except when they do stupid crap like this. This just pisses everybody off and makes them look bad. Oh well, hope I can win one before they become illegal!

blackmansG2 says:

Patent law will never get changed until it starts to lock big companies into more and more expensive R&D. For now they can make enough on retail sales and suing each other they don't care.

werdnaelliott says:

Can't we all just live in harmony? It's possible, but we all can't win free phones :)

n5nhl says:

The system is broken. There shouldn't be any rulings untill the system is fixed.

skidmark says:

Apple needs to concentrate their efforts on making their products here in the USA, instead of abusing the people at Foxcon. Let's improve the economy here before we help out another country.

NPD says:

How ridiculous is this was the first thing I thought of when I saw this. Apple sinking to whatever ways they can to try and continue being the "bigger" name in smartphones, but truthfully, this shows that Samsung and the rest of the Android phones are the better way to go. Unbelievable.

stewyz says:

pick me. i don't own a patent or much of anything else.

commonplace says:

The issue isn't Apple, it's the entire patent system. It needs to be blown up, nuked from orbit, and completely re-written from scratch. Unfortunately, I will not live to see this happen, and I don't know if my two-year-old son will live to see this happen, but maybe my grandchildren... or great-grandchildren... or great-great... or great-great-great... I hope.

/Kevin

P.S. 4000 comments, some are dupes, so that's a better-than-1-in-4000 chance of winning a Nexus. w00t!!

turbo000 says:

I had the same problem when I was a kid. Corporations are like little damn kids!! " I was here first...hey that was my idea....you stole that from me....Tommy cheated."
Why don't all of you just grow up and stop worrying about what the other kid on the playground is doing and focus on getting our god damn flying cars...like now! I'm pretty sure all of your lawyer fees could of helped developed them. idiots.

skatopias#AC says:

I really hope a revision to the patent system is being worked on. I dislike this constant suing coming from apple. The Galaxy Nexus is a great phone, the iphone is a great phone. Why can't apple just let it be and continue with great innovation. It's a competition, let's continue to compete to find the best in ourselves.

Bycktorr says:

In opinion Apple's policy will turn against them in a few years. Instead of spending money trying to develop new technology they are spending it in this b***sh*t, trying to convince consumers that Android is just a copy of IOS which is false.
The worst of it is that they are slowing down any kind of huge progress in smartphones as they have done with their first iphones.
Oh! And count me in for the Nexus!

souzavic says:

Googrola to the rescue.

jwburkhard says:

The irony of all this is that Apple is stifling innovation by not allowing competition in their over-saturated market. I used to be one of the sheep, but since opening my eyes when my iPhone got stolen I'll never go back. I can't believe how much I've missed out on and how much I need to catch up because I've been letting Apple do everything for me.

ynot2985 says:

Yup!

bgbagz says:

I think it was said best by saying "B L A H"!! !! apple is losing a fair fight when it comes to customers prefrence thats the bottom line. You dont see Mercedes suing BMW.... both make cars however, Agin people have prefrences.. Me I like Chevys....... there is bad apple in every bunch!!!!!

EJT says:

Just one more reason to avoid Apple like the plague. My brother will be in town his weekend. He uses an iPhone. We'll see what he thinks of a Galaxy Nexus on Jelly Bean!

kryptonite_2448 says:

This makes me sick! Apple can suck it!

badboysidd says:

i think apple started this patent war on android developing mobile companies to protect their interests, the so called millions of dollars in research n this companies copyin them.. but Apple has taken this too far.. n now i feel is non-sense.. jus to keep up their american market.. they r delibrately causin other companies shipment in US. i wish there is a healthy compitition.. n we end users benifit frm it, androidism... all the way.

droidatl says:

I have hired Apple's lawyers to represent me. I saw a guy yesterday that looked just like me! He had 2 arms and 2 legs and even 2 eyes. I'm going to sue him. I found out that he even solves math problems the same way I do. And you know what the worst part is? Chicks like him better than me! It's blatantly obvious that he is copying me (and improving on the things that are great about me) and I want it to stop.

JDowling says:

Apple: stealing features from Android 1.6 and then taking Google to court for patent infringement....

pharbrian says:

Litigate, instead of innovate.

CahUK says:

I am going to patent Homo sapiens. Everyone that is currently alive should pay me an one-off royalty of 50 quid. Children under the age of 12 half price. Fetus 12.5 dollars, then another 12.5 dollars when born.

Gonna patent my patent before Apple steals it!

cbenet says:

I'm an attorney, and this nonsense just hurts my head. All they're doing is making everyone involved look silly.

priority9 says:

The lawsuits are getting way out of hand. Some of these patents are so vague they can be easily applied to a number of different scenarios. The broken patent laws need to change drastically to prevent more lawsuits in the future.

Jamus07 says:

Now Google and Moto are both at threat because of Apple and your KNOW they are going after them for the SIII. I hate Cupertino and all this micro-level patent litigation B.S.

Catfish says:

Total BS, Apple sucks. Lawyers getting richer

ynot2985 says:

I think this just makes Apple look pathetic! It's too bad they have to sue every other company to try and get ahead.... just let the sales do the talking!!!

DOUBLE_BASS says:

Apple should start banning themselves when started embedding a front camera copying Nokia 90's devices.

And i am in for the Nexus!!

PorscheAwesome says:

I support companies protecting their ideas, but I do not support them explicitly trying to block shipment of a product. The galaxy nexus has been out and shipping for I think 7 months. What is the point? All of this patent nonsense just stifles innovation and in the end creates a worse product for the user, while costing these companies millions of dollars. It's a lose, lose situation. Hopefully someday we can live in a world where iOS and Android can peacefully coexist, but until then I just want a galaxy nexus!

zoogaroe says:

patent war is nothing more than big corporation with too much money at their disposal try to flex their financial muscle while trying to deceive consumers. At the same time they forget their past and the many heads they stepped on to get where they are today. if we were in the Bible days Jesus would say let him without patent infringement cast the first stone. No one person in the case of a judge should make the call that affect the masses. Let us the consumers decide what is fair game. one phone, one unique identifier and one vote. The company with the brightest minds should not be fearful. If you are that good and someone steal your idea your motivation should be to make it better to prove who is the real originator and who is the imitator.

smazhara says:

Its unbelievable how stupid this whole thing is. Why not use all that money "given" to lawyers to invest in more R&D and make more awesome products for us consumers. Technology FTW!

mikef1182#WN says:

I would sue too if I just showed off iOS 6 (Android 1.6) and then saw Jellybean.

NurSpass says:

The whole patent process is broken. IP is poorly understood and grossly misrepresented, especially when it comes to new technology.

kbot1226 says:

The patent wars are ridiculous. Of course phones will look / behave in a similar manner. I would love the galaxy nexus! Android Central is awesome!

WDH says:

No more innovation from Apple... just litigation.

androidimus says:

public class PatentSystem extends LegalSystem implements Runnable {

    public void run() {
        while ( isFunctional() ) {
            for (Case aCase : getPendingCases()) {
                // todo: fixme: each iteration leaking time and money
                try {
                    aCase.getPlaintiff().payLaywers( Float.MAX_VALUE );
                    aCase.getDefendant().payLaywers( Float.MAX_VALUE );
                    Thread.sleep( (long)(2635200000 * Math.random()) );
                    annoy( aCase.getDefendant().getSupporters() );
                    Thread.sleep( (long)(2635200000 * Math.random()) );
                    int result = resolve();
                    if (result == DISMISSED || result == NOT_GUILTY) {
                        Thread.sleep( 1 );
                        addPendingCase( appeal( aCase) );
                    });
                } catch (Exception ignore) {
                }
            }
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected boolean isFunctional() {
        // todo: wtf?! somehow this method is causing an endless loop
        return true;
    }

}

dixiehuntr says:

Why can't everyone just get along? Pretty petty of everyone if you ask me. Oh well though. Count me in for this. Would love to get this as it's time for an upgrade and this would let me keep unlimited data!!!! And my 30th bday is in less than a month, hint hint. Lol.

tertou says:

These patent claims are totally nonsense.

Where did I dig my patent for a device you can hold in your hand, left or right, and you can stick to your ear, left or right, to listen and talk to anybody on the earth ?
I thought that idea was right for a commercial product, but not worth impeaching others making use of it.
Maybe I was wrong and could really earn more money with it than by selling my stuff ?

Geez, innovation is doomed, dare I say !

T.

locote25 says:

This is the first time I see a big company wasting their time and everybody's trying to shut down a revolutionary technology like Samsung's. This is totally unacceptable, like someone once told me... "Don't be an iwhore"

Ozman44 says:

Apple is showing that they are worried. Thanks again for the contest.

project.in.process says:

Apple is like the awkward kid next door---MINE MINE MINE! the minute you make an awesome fort/get a birthday toy/ play with marbles--they claim they came up with the rules and design and then change them to ensure everyone believes they invented it. they need to be kicked to the curb and taken out with all the other trash that doesn't deserve to be in my household (ie Verizon).

hopefully it's a GSM nexus so i can ditch my contract & go to T-Mo with the $30/mo plan!

zero3187 says:

Apple should just man up. If you're not willing to put the work in to make your product obviously better than you don't deserve it.

modzone says:

I am not aware of any patent-laws or how the market works, but from someone outside the ring, it just seems to be that Apple is insecure about losing market shares and is willing to play dirty games just to seem formidable.
A big dent in their shiny armor, in my opinion.

Apple is not about class anymore, it is about crass.

daprototyp333 says:

i think they should do something about this patents every time i log in into pulse or any other news source guess what i find? another patent war!!!....... i think apple just doesn't like loosing since its no longer the best and only smartphone manufacture thanks to android they hating and cant fight with products but with patents..

Thehomez says:

Its funny how Apple has now become the Microsoft of the 1980's and 1990's. Apple's fan base was built on the fact that they weren't a huge industrial tyrant like Microsoft. Fast forward to today and that's exactly what Apple has become. With their continued practice of lawsuits, increasing fees, overpriced devices, and in many's opinion sub-par mobile software compared to Android, they will likely continue to lose supporters and fan base as they have become what they were against many years ago. Ironic isn't it?

zypr3xa says:

Wow! Apple needs to learn that they aren't helping progress in tech by doing this crap. Just makes people hate them more.

cd2ogz says:

This reminds me of the Pacquiao( Google) vs Bradley( Apple) fight a few weeks back...even though the whole world knows pacquiao should of won that fight, the higher power...aka judges..gave bradley the victory!..and now after reviewing the case the WBO(the court of law) realizes that they made an BIG mistake ...#teampacman+googleandroid4eva!!!

cd2ogz says:

This reminds me of the Pacquiao( Google) vs Bradley( Apple) fight a few weeks back...even though the whole world knows pacquiao should of won that fight, the higher power...aka judges..gave bradley the victory!..and now after reviewing the case the WBO(the court of law) realizes that they made an BIG mistake ...#teampacman+googleandroid4eva!!!

RichardClark says:

Total nonsense. I think I'll trademark "frivolous lawsuits" and then sue these attorneys every time they file one.

Ron Friend says:

Fighting over patents is like two little boys fighting over a football. "I had it first" "No, I had it first". By the time they're finished some else comes up with a basketball and they continue playing.I guess lawyers have to pay for that education some way.

Incitatus says:

Patent lawsuits are the suck! Nexus me please my friend! :)

Slayers says:

Why is this even going to court after the last few times crapple tried something it was shot down. I think at this point they need to tell them its over your phone is old and tired take your flock of sheep and leave the court room

bszucs says:

This feud between Samsung and Apple needs to come to an end and and soon! There are many losers in this fight, namely the consumers wo are being denied a competitive environment.

And while most of us our left looking in from the outside...one thing is certain. The only winners in the whole suit....the attorneys (on both sides) earning their fees!

effengee says:

So many people have said it right: this kind of squabbling inhibits innovation. Gelernter seems clearly that he was robbed. The judge that overturned his decision was probably paid off.

I'm an Android damn all the way but I'm trying to be fair. If Apple has a claim, they're allowed to sue. Do I think it's 100% for intellectual property rights and for doing the right thing? No. I think they're trying to suffocate and throttle every competitor thru litigation. They would like to have a monopoly here, were it.not for the pesky American democracy. They're as anti-American as I can think for now.

They use every other players hardware to assemble gadgets that play with they're software (probably stolen/copied) nicely, then sue their competitors when they try to innovate. They outsource they're jobs to thousands of foreigners and stifle competition for control. Toyota, Nissan, vw, kia, Hyundai, etc all have plants here that hire Americans do their labor. And those card are considered imports.

Apple farms those jobs. They hire Americans to do who knows what (doesn't seem like software or hardware), make Apple products pretty?

I say it all the time: Apple has to catch up with Android in their phone specs. The iClone is so obsolete it's funny. I can't believe people are so bamboozled by that. 3G, 3.5" screen, 960x640, 326 ppi, arm A9 dual-core (finally, after Android) processor? Weak. My rezound blows that away! One app store, one browser, no personalization or individuality, one keyboard. So they're Apple devices can wirelessly, effortlessly share photos between them. Big deal. One.hour photo used to be cool too.

On the other side, I was impressed by wwdc, but not like I was with jelly bean. And I hate how they make people believe that they make their screens or they make they're processors or they made Thunderbolt (another Android copy). Catch up crapple. Ur phone sucks. Sony's camera is great, ur phone sucks.

Didn't write this to get a gnex, but I'll take one if ur gonna give it away.

Thanks.

Subliminal says:

RIAA went this route for years, and it didn't work, and it just made people hate them.

Amazins71 says:

Apple is a bully. More competition better phones.

tyronefinley says:

Much fear does Apple show, afraid of Android Deathstar becoming operational they are! In my Yoda voice.

joegraziano says:

This patent thing is really screwed up! They should just compete and stop the silliness. Imagine, a swipe left to unlock is patentable? Come on!

enhuman says:

Lawyers always win, even if they lose they still get paid.

stbxxl says:

Apple sucks big time!

Prefix#AC says:

The worst part of all if this is that if any of the complaints are upheld, it's really the consumer who loses. There's plenty of business to go around!

mobilemail says:

if you send it I will use it. No apple fanboy here!

curiousgeorge says:

Apple is such a whiner, like they never copied anyone else's tech before. What was that Xerox Park place again?

eahinrichsen says:

Gimme gimme gimme.

lawrhoog says:

Suck it apple!

ultimahwhat says:

Google needs to rain down some shake n' bake on this Apple patent circle j

garyzone says:

The system is clearly broken. Companies are allowed to patent things that are common sense and obvious. The fact that a company can patent the idea of an in app purchase is ridiculous.

In addition the company does not even have to have a product or a working prototype.

Why can a pharmaceutical company spend billions on a new drug to lost the their exclusivity years later but a technology company can come up with the most obvious design and own it forever?

BigDaddy3000 says:

Phuck Apple. It's Android baby!!!!

aubinhick990 says:

Patents may have worked before the internet, but now they seriously need to be reworked. It's ridiculous that Apple got this and has been fighting for this preliminary injunction on a phone that's 6 months old! Gah

Jackson says:

Lawyer's are always doing what they do. It usually only benefits a business and hurts consumers. It's always about the money.

cicatriz63 says:

Absolutely ridiculous. Good thing they are always a step behind as far as models go getting them banned. If Apple had their way the GS3 could have been banned as well.

zoogaroe says:

All this patent war has the godfather (Palm) turning in his grave. If he was alive he would say you are my children, I made all of you. Cut out the BS and get back to making good devices.

Animegrltsukasa says:

Im sick and tired of apple being such a crybaby the can't compete so they just litigate.

turbopv80 says:

this "war" is good in some ways, i have some friends that didn't know about the greatest android phones like the galaxy nexus or galaxy s2. but now there has been so much about this in the news they got to know about the phones, and now they all want an android phone basically because they think apple is stupid with these injuctions.

blacksapphire08 says:

Apple is just mad cause they're starting to lose market share on smartphones. Back when Android was just emerging, Apple wasnt trying to sue. They should focus on stepping up to be more competitive.

Vito2000 says:

I wish many things concerning Apple but unfortunately none of them will actually happen. Why? Because what they are doing is working. They are making money hand over fist and will stop at nothing to keep anything Android related from being successful. I would honestly get more excited about Apple products if they would just show some class as a company.

neofrank says:

With the Apple/Moto ruling last week I thought things were turning around. I own some apple products (not an iphone) but really they need to worry about making innovative products and less about stifling competition in the market.

doogald says:

Judge Posner was right last week - these patent lawsuits are silly. I'd live to win a Gnex.

01011000 says:

What can one say that hasn't already been said... It really SUCKS that this happens right after I/O this year. This is my first I/O event (I "attended" from the comfort of my home) and Apple's at it again. Kinda flabbergasted and don't really know what to say or make of that...

atpatter says:

Can't we all just get along? I'm ready to ditch this iPhone 4S and experience some ICS, soon to be JB!

storm14k says:

Apple. Nobody gives a shit about your piece of shit phone or OS. As a dev I will discourage development for that crap at all opportunities. And Apple fans quit with the copying bullshit. Apple straight rips off Android and your excuse is that there's no patent. Bullshit. Its copying. It shows you have no values. You're just shilling for Apple. I hope you enjoyed your iOS 7 demo at I/O on Wednesday.

And finally Google. Quit the bullshit. Pull your services from the iPhone and watch it go down like the flaming pile of shit that it is. Android share will increase and make up the difference as people bail for the services.

willmsbrg says:

It is getting worse and worse all the time with the APPLE BS....

Thanks for the contest...

protohamster says:

that is messed up, apple is getting desperate.

bc2k says:

It's patently absurd but now I want one of these as "forbidden fruit."

joseaugusto1 says:

What is freaking wrong with this Patent War! Apple is filing a patent case everyday someone should stop this, they are trying to monopolize the smartphone industry.

KaskaA says:

It's sad that innovating technology companies are no longer relying on innovating technology to gain customers, and are rather turning towards these ridiculous patent lawsuits to take their competition out of the equation. The competition between Apple and Google and Google's partners in both hardware and software have led for consumers to have a choice between truly amazing machines, and it's a shame that that competition is, in ways, being stifled by litigation

Zindoh says:

More innovation and less litigation please..

derkk#AC says:

What i love about all this is that Apple complains that Android steals their ideas. NO Apple,, Android takes your idea and makes it better. Its what the tech industry thrives off. Okay okay, so its okay for Apple to implement Android ideas like status bar and voice search, (yes Android had em first), but if you do it to Apple, its a bunch of whinebags with money crying fowl.

APPLE?, Android has pushed your software beyond what you would have ever gotten to. Apple fanbois? Without Android, you wouldnt have mms and many other great features.

I cant wait for all this bs to be over. Now gimme my GN!

rycus86 says:

If Apple wants to stop people having Android devices, why don't they create better devices so people will be attracted to them more than Androud devices like this awesome GNex.

AulinMX5 says:

News at eleven. All cell phones are banned from sale as judge rules someone might be losing money on another competitor profiting. Stay classy.

dnguyen1988 says:

Apple you should be ashamed of yourselves! *shakes head in smin disgust*

ansextra says:

If Apple innovated more they wouldn't have to attempt to destroy the competition via legal means. They're scared.

chins22 says:

don't understand why the big n respected companies fight like kids these days! they need to grow up and be mature :)

phlyer says:

There's a finite set of ways that these devices can work. Apple needs to get over it, accept that they don't have the best product anymore and let the market decide who wins.

I think Android will win.

And before I get called a fanboy, let me say that I've owned both Apple and Android devices. I've come back to Android for a reason...

damenj says:

Lawyers, enough said!!! Send me my phone!!!

biccochi says:

Instead of trying to innovate companies now just sue. If you just make a better product people will want it instead of the competition.

SteelGator says:

I am a big believer in IP, but I certainly wish they could settle these cases and move on.

davelowp says:

I am fed up with this patent crap, Google needs to step in and beat the sh*t out of apple! Bring it apple you cannot beat open source and true freedom!

DrSnooze says:

I have my balls full filled of Patentes, apple and this fucking war of who inventado what every they want. Let it be people!!!!

raymote says:

Give me one of these & then the patent lawyers can pry it out of my hands...NOT!

ploum says:

if someone is better than you, so find a solution to be better than him. in lieu of expending energy to find if he created or not, use this energy to get even better.

Sebthib55 says:

I am also very tired of all this patent crap. It's never ending. Everyone just wants to destroy the other. I don't think that will ever happen.

Please pick me for the Nexus. Really need an upgrade.

deejaylobo says:

That patent shit cray!

toppatchara says:

Apple just wanted more and more market share. That's all. However, I wanted the GNexus, I wonder if you can send it to Thailand. lol :O

strikeir13 says:

If I win, I'll let my VZW, contract lapse, buy a straight talk SIM, and start my contract-free journey to stick it to the carriers!

Cman8848 says:

I think we are about to have something much bigger here than usual. Apple has had bans on the HTC One X and HTC Evo 4G LTE, then the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but this time is different. It isn't just another Samsung phone. This is THE PHONE that Google itself markets. This is the phone with the unhindered Android experience. So you could say that this is Google's phone. So now, Google has to step in to the fray in some way or another, or Google is going to look kind of stupid backing a phone that has just been banned from being sold in the US. But for now, let's just see how this pans out, and hopefully, Google will step in and do what is needed to put an end to these lawsuits.

anton2dan says:

I am so sick of this patent war. Apple should stop this nonsense and try to learn from Google's OS and improve theirs instead.

agasthya says:

The patent system needs some serious reform.

ploum says:

If someone is better than you, so find a solution to be better than him. In lieu of expending energy to find if he cheated or not, take this energy to get even better

Geejay22 says:

God...apple annoys me to no end when they believe that they can just sue everybody...the Gnexus looks nothing like an iPhone...how did they mess that shit up?

deluxe92 says:

One thing is defend your own technology patent, another is being affraid of the competition (now with Android 4.1 and Win8 things are going to be pretty ugly to Apple xD) and start to suing everybody, and this is what Apple is doing, at first you think they are just defending, now they are delaying the technology progress and hurting the consumers.

zzpianoman81 says:

Just when you think you've seen it all. Apple is ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous.

darris321 says:

It's not apple. It's the incentives presented by our court system. Anyone would do it. I like what another commenter said about reforming patent law by restricting it to two iterations or a smaller amount of time.

cbomber220 says:

It's sad to think of the kind of money that these companies dish out for these court battles. Money that could be used to improve their products, make their products cheaper or I don't...help the poor. Apple is seriously going to put that kinda money into the bond so Sammy can't sell its Galaxy Nexus. That's just sad. Seems to be the way of the world now for these big companies, if you can't beat them on the shelves then beat the in courthouse, especially on patents that are as ridiculous as can be. Slide to unlock, seriously? My LG Dare had that feature before he iPhone even came out.....what a wonderful world we live in.

juan17h says:

this sucks, ill never get one now

bondo says:

At least they finally left the ambulances alone

den0220 says:

i agree blah blah blah - hope to get one before i cant ... thanks

Cyxodus says:

I am getting fed up with the constant back and forth.

louben987 says:

Somebody has to pay the lawyers ... Oh who am I kidding, too much legal crap for me

schwepdaddy says:

All of this patent stuff drives me nuts.

Here's what I would suggest (I'm no lawyer, but this makes sense to me). Let's reform patent law in regards to consumer electronics. Heck, we could even limit it to the mobile market, if that is possible. What if we limited the patent protection of any new process or design to two product cycles. If you come out with something special, you get protection for the device that introduces it and one further iteration. After that, everything goes into the public domain. It would give real protection to innovators (given that the window for making money on new mobile features is so small anyway) and it would encourage further innovation. And a substantial side benefit is that it would cut down on the proliferation of minor updates to devices and encourage companies to pack all their best ideas into one device rather than spread them out over many devices. Thoughts?

darris321 says:

It's ridiculous because the patents are always for something completely inconsequential. It's not like any of these so-called patent wars are over something revolutionary. Neither are losing money that they're entitled to- they just don't like competition.

tms78 says:

OMG Apple sux balls! All this litigation is not attractive.

katies says:

Yep...blah, blah, blah. Apple = pretentious asshats. :D

ampbell88 says:

they just dont know when to stop -_-

churchwin88 says:

I think Apple should run for congress as their own party. They would fit right in...bunch of cry babies who throw fits when they don't get their way.

kaerfree says:

Desperate times call for desperate measures

anthonynriddle says:

Apple can no longer beat Google with innovative products, so they result to law suits and injunctions. Apple's actions prove that they are a company that is against technological growth and a competitive industry. I have yet to see where Google or any or the phone manufacturers have stolen any ideas or copied anything from apple. Of course, there are similar features on both platforms, aren't there similar features in Windows, OSX, and Linux? Our patent system wasn't developed with technology in mind and needs a major revision. This b.s. really needs to stop.

Iced2313 says:

All we want as consumers are quality products at a reasonable price. Enough with the patent wars and focus on future products.

theknack says:

Everyone loses from this fighting about patents.

alexzutzu says:

I love the fact that Google is creating an ecosystem around the Nexus line, it's really nice to see that. I own a galaxy s2 and I'm runnin' cyanogenmod 9 because I just love vanilla ICS and not the bullshity, bloadware loaded, TouchWiz ICS. I'm really sad that the s2 won't be seeing Jelly Bean love from Samsung which means I have to wait a hole lot more until I'll see Jelly Bean on my phone. I wish I owned a Nexus because they get all the updates and run vanilla. As for the patent war, I'm not that sad, Apple is obligated to pay $95 mil if they lose. I'm waiting for it:)

kline83 says:

It is funny they have a problem with the android and yet they go after HTC. How scared are you to go after the phone and not the os in which you have the problem whats next we will see Chevy go after ford for automatic windows it is just crazy

Kommodore44 says:

apple : android :: the recording industry : internet piracy

failing to innovate they must resort to legal maneuvers instead of true competition in the market

nathansnyder says:

What if everyone decided not to sue each other? It would probably be the end of the world.

sjschenk says:

Apple can suck it! They cannot have the mobile electronic monopoly. I am so proud to be an Android owner. APPLE BLOWS!!

huawuban says:

It's the stupid patent office that allows every peace of shit to be patented. It must be changed.

Tiltowait says:

The patent system is broke severely, instead of fostering innovation, it stifles it.

k30king1 says:

Listen... Apple is afraid of the inevitable... Android is the better platform, always will be, and is growing better each passing day. How about Google counter-sue them for ripping off androids notifications,repacking it and call it iOS notification center.lmao. People are starting to realize that they can live in a world of choice , and have all of the greatness that they expect without succumbing to apples will.. so apple is sending their attack dogs against a t-rex's guess who's gonna win? Lol.

k30king1 says:

Listen... Apple is afraid of the inevitable... Android is the better platform, always will be, and is growing better each passing day. How about Google counter-sue them for ripping off androids notifications,repacking it and call it iOS notification center.lmao. People are starting to realize that they can live in a world of choice , and have all of the greatness that they expect without succumbing to apples will.. so apple is sending their attack dogs against a t-rex's guess who's gonna win? Lol.

mauidiver40 says:

Patent wars are the new close minded, anti-productive way to slow technological innovation even further then the hobbled world economic situation already has.

ncdave77 says:

The patent system is a joke. Apple's only exploiting this because it was so easy to do so. They win an injunction here and there, but they're only hurting consumers (not to mention their image - nobody likes a bully). Fix the system and let innovation and the market dictate the winners.

daithin says:

Software patents are lame.

Codyguthrie39 says:

I completely agree that this is rediculus.. Let's face it.. Apple is scared shirtless of the rising demand for android.. They just want to play the game as dirty as they can and eventually its going to bite them in the ass.. Let's wait until they changed the name of the phone to the iPatent.. This way if you make anything.. It will infringe on the iPatent.. We won't even be able to call our devices a phone soon... Might get sued..

JRob6542 says:

A free market economy has no place for intellectual property laws, all they do is turn would be innovators into rent collectors.

McNutty195 says:

This patent stuff is stupid. Its all just people being stupid and greedy. Laws need to change to stop them from doing this. Stop them from wasting our time!

guitarguy0957 says:

Apple is scared that Android will put them to rest. Apple is arguing about dumb stuff. Google even gave Apple users the ability to use G-Mail and other Google made apps. Google should take those apps back. Apple needs to quit targeting android. Their phones suck. With every new OS, they aren't changing their boot animation. Android is. The new Google search is far better than Siri, and its also in beta and it just came out. Apple has more time with Siri out and it still sucks.

crashybear says:

So effing pi$$ed at Crapple that I just want to buy another Galaxy Nexus - especially also since it is such an awesome phone made even better by JB and it only costs $349 unlocked.

Not spending another dime on anything Apple makes.

elitegreek#ac says:

iPhones: The dumbest smart phone.

sims88 says:

I understand that Apple wants to protect its IP but this is killing off competition. It seems like Apple always tries its best to prevent competition. Maybe because they will always lose their position as the market leader

GameBoi says:

Can't we all just get alone and play with our phones?

kurioskurion says:

EFFFFF YOU APPLE!!!!! :-P

Hypeo says:

This is getting out of hand, and unfortunately we have the government involved with it. Apple is not being hurt at all with any of the new devices. They have their fan base and are doing very well financially.

simple things like search should be standard on any operating software.

tasosps says:

It's all about money and market share but I suppose that everyone should try to achieve this target by creating better products!

guinnessbear says:

Apple need to stop these lawsuits. All it ends up hurting is the consumer. Just one of the many reasons why I will never buy an Apple product. Suing the competition out of business is not a good business model. How about innovating for a change?

silly796 says:

I love the fear from Apple. They know now that the android platform is so superior that they have to resort to law suits.

mithmal says:

The only wars i like to see are STAR WARS!

RueGorE says:

Just another reason why these silly patent wars need to just disappear so we can concentrate on real innovation. If only there were a way to quantify just how far held back we are due to all this craziness....

TimboSliceSliceBaby says:

Apple will go down in history as a laughable patent troll. This is the legacy they are creating for themselves. You could say that they are the CORE of all the legal problems in the digital world. Ba dum dum!

maggard5 says:

Thanks Apple! I can't even eat apples any more. Do you really think you are going to stop Android from taking over the world?

alucky0 says:

I dont think it is fair to push the blame at the lawyers, its the companies that are the problem. If someone elses device scares you, MAKE A BETTER ONE or put up with it.

MelissaH says:

Apple needs to get over themselves! Blah, blah , blah indeed :).

Largg says:

Way to go Android Central! Best way to stick it to stick to Apple without violence or profanity!

Whoever wins this thing should go to an apple store and show off your new phone, I would!!!

krstphr says:

I don't understand how you can patent something as simple as turning a phone number into a link and responding to a user that clicks on it. That's just common sense functionality for a phone...

kempsterX5 says:

Why can't we all just get along

Chewie01 says:

I'm here for the free Nexus. Now where do I go to pick it up?

cageman3 says:

The whole patent system is screwed up. Time for change.

HeLLb0y says:

Man, am I glad I got android.

Android412 says:

Another day, another Apple lawsuit...

aberod777 says:

Please guve me a the galaxy nexus, pretty please?

Alerio says:

Apple needs to stop with this non sense and innovate like Android. Steve jobs said iOS was 5 years ahead of anything 5 years ago. He was right but guess what time is up......

NexusMann says:

Okay Apple! Let's the War Begin !

mastatrp says:

Lame! Software patents kill innovation and ultimately the industry will suffer for it!

aberod777 says:

please give me a galaxy nexus, pretty please?

tokodave says:

Patent lawyers that aren't born yet will be working on this, Yeeha!

cottonrl says:

Long time reader... first time commenter...

But this ruling is dumb. I feel like the next thing we know Apple is going to say they made the SmartPhone? They act like they invented everything. Samsung/Google need to patent something and just crush Apple... They need to go Apple picking...

Sorry for that...

But seriously Apple needs to be stopeed!

drakomagi says:

Gotta love this. Instead of using their resources to improve there tech, they blow it on suppressing other.

mlacla22 says:

Apple needs to win at SOMETHING, I guess...

And I would like to win something as well. (wink wink)

mercado79 says:

Hopefully the fact that these are "Google's" will enable to get fully involved in the suit. It's time for this silliness to end.

tslovejoy1969 says:

Crazy. Next someone will be claiming a patent on the use of icons on the homescreen.

jesmann says:

This is just getting to be cry baby talk. Stupid whining delayed my new HTC evo 4G LTE

CMercs says:

DITTO to almost everything above!!!

Lawyers + Apples = Apple Sauce!!

Snowmanaxp says:

I want high quality choices, wether that is Apple/iOS or Google/Android isn't that important. I just want the lawsuits to stop and have Apple, Google and everyone else just get back to developing more exciting software and phones.

10001110101 says:

Apples new business motto: Why innovate, when we can litigate?

bdubb78 says:

lawyers make society a worse place to live

anti lawyers says:

I don't like patents being substituted for innovation. Nope, not one bit. The whole" if we can't do any better, lets make sure they can't either" will get us absolutely nowhere. These big companies should try a new strategy: make the best product. If its not the best one out there, don't sue the best one out there; go back, and create something that will be the best. If more companies had this mentality, be a lot father than we are now. To make the best, you have to get there through hard work, intelligence, and creativity; NOT through lawsuits, or patents, our whatever exist a company can find. These are the ones who are suppose to bring us technologically forward, and in order top do that, some decency and honor needed. Apple, and any other company who would sue to be the best, get some decency and respect, and take us forward like you could be doing.

lido#CB says:

so sad. more lawyers lining their pockets and the only ones to suffer are the consumers....

bongdw says:

Strong arming and stone walling consumers, innovation and the future. F*** Apple. I had to sound like an Apple hater, but I do happen to hate Apple for things like this.

The Galaxy Nexus is an amazing phone. I gave mine to my wife and fell back on an older device because she needed the amazing features from this beautiful phone. I love my wife, yes... but only you guys will know this, I really, really, REALLY miss my Galaxy Nexus! At least this phone makes her smile every day. She's not a technophile like me, but she's become a huge Android fan and pushes it on friends and co-workers and now they're sold too. Nothing made me more proud than picking her up from work and hearing her upsell the benefits of the Android OS to a co-worker. I wanted to ask her to marry me again LOL

BrownSuperman says:

This is stupid. I hope Google finally steps up when they announce the iPhone5 or iPad "mini" and gets them blocked for blatantly copying features off Google's work.

tarn451 says:

It's just plain and simple, Apple wants to be the top dog in mobile phones and tablets. Android is spoiling their fun and Apple can't stand it. With Android, a person can personalize their phone however they want it, you can't do that with Apple. My daughter has a IPhone, and I hate it. Apple should make their products cheaper and then maybe, just maybe, more people would buy their products.

TheBowser17 says:

I will admit I was an iTool (although not a fanboy), I did have all the Apple products, iPhone, iPad, AppleTV and an iMac, but this has been enough for me, my wife and I have switched over close to everything, I currently have a HTC One-X, she ordered her Galaxy S3, we have both a HTC Flyer and Asus Transformer, we did keep the iMac though, more than just the back and forth with lawyer garbage and the embarrassment that this causes me by being an apple supporter, this effects me as a consumer by limiting my choice for product, I made the switch because I really love Android and feel that it's the better OS, I don't understand how Apple can clearly borrow things from OS' and then turn around and say they are stealing from them, if Apple is scared to compete against the new flagship phones other companies are putting out then they need to step their game up, it's sad but most people just buy an iphone because it's Apple and it's the trendy thing to buy...

JayPhill89 says:

This patent crap is getting annoying.

p8prclip says:

I think Kotex or Scotch BRITE should throw a frivolous lawsuit at apple just to level the field a bit!

Richillion says:

Apple refuses to keep up with the features that people are looking for and because of that android's user base keeps growing. The only way for apple to continue their painful incremental upgrades is to attempt to stunt any growth from competitors. Android has come a long way and will continue to be a problem with the introduction of jelly bean.

juju705 says:

I think somebody needs a time-out and a nap.

Apple, lawyers, opposite corners now. Samsung, Google, quit smirking and get back to making me a new phone, dammit.

Damiandn says:

Slide to unlock? I'm sure patenting that has some impact on innovation... Somewhere? Silly.

henderjr says:

Ugh I hate Apple! And I just found out that I'm going to be developing an iOS application soon. Grr! I couldn't talk them into going the Android route.

hoser33 says:

I think it's the judges that look particular dumb in these cases. Lawyers can play their games, but it's up to the judges to throw this crap out of court. It's not just Apple and Google's money that's wasted. Our tax dollars at work.

Muvolt says:

In patent wars the only losers are consumers. Someone must stop this nonsense.

doctorj1 says:

maybe apple should stop wasting their money on lawyering and all this posturing trying to prove non-sense and spend some money on actually improving their phone. instead they call it "the next iphone" by adding some more crap like Siri. thats not a new phone, thats a software update, you know, the same thing android is doing constantly, without the need for trying to pass it off as a new generation to sell some phones.

tdeanhoward says:

This type of litigation ruins innovation. I hope they find a solution to this annoying problem soon!

killstr3ak says:

im so sick of Apple being the big bad bully. Keep releasing your incremental updates that your fanboys eat up like homemade chocolate chip cookies--and stop being so concerned about what everyone else is doing.

deadpenguins says:

If you can't keep up with the competition, sue! We all know Apple has enough money to do it. What a shameful, tactless way to do business.

Rroven says:

I can't believe a judge can still agree that anything can do "irreparable harm" to any apple product. The make more money pet device than anyone and no one phone can cause irreparable harm to them. Until Apple stops being such a hypocrite I can stop thinking they are the biggest patent troll on the planet.

LocoXCristo says:

This patent war is just ridiculous!!! Freaking fruit factory wants to rule but we android army stand up and we'll win!!! Apple, go suck a fat one!! Btw, I want a nexus!! :)

csierra72 says:

Jobs needs to put his cold dead hand back in the grave. His hate for all things Google is absofreakinlutely ridiculous. They are getting killed in the market and are trying their best to put a dent in Android. Not going to happen!!

silvra7 says:

Apple used to be about innovation and creating quality computers, now their computers are behind the times (after securing a niche in the graphics realm, which they are now hanging out to dry) and they've become this blood sucking parasite with the patent wars and these elegant but dumbed down user experience that they're fostering off on their computers. Of course Microsoft is following suit.

mech1164 says:

I would gladly take a Gnex please.

On the patent issue. One way Google may be able to help is to say that with use of Android, Google will convey it's patents to the OEM's. Now that would put a big old fly in Apple ointment.:D

Deckard_9732 says:

Someone has to keep these sharks circling...more blood in the water!

SouthFlaPi says:

Apple feels the need for this is in order to take the spot light off Android and their revolutionary introduction of Jelly Bean! Apple sees a threat and they're retaliating. My 2 cents!

DroidDavi says:

The hell with this you win. Banned a phone damn there a year old. How about you innovate or get a phone banned that's moving units right now. The HOX and SGS3 are killing it. Sell your products and innovate. This is like for females fighting at prom cause someone else has a better dress than you this is some bitch shit.

I was going to buy a macbook pro today and even know my 1 sale won't hurt there year I refuse to give these clowns any money from me

Change your logo to a lemon with your a our bitter ass

awperk says:

Apple needs to get a grip and put some of the lawyer fees into innovative software research. I wouldn't consider any of their recently added features of iOS to be revolutionary and certainly not original. Google voice search still outclasses siri and their drop-down notifications are the most blatant rip-off of android notifications that i've ever seen. The good thing about apple's attempt at notifications is that they are still utterly useless.

piccit says:

Apple is just afraid that big bad Android is taking over the mobile market and they're pulling out all the stops. Next thing you know, they'll be trying to stop Windows 8

sixfathom says:

I love this country... But I hate business law. It's so much easier to sue than compete on the merits of your products.

Make crime pay... Become a Lawyer!

arejay229 says:

Yep Apple needs to take a chill and accept good competition! Shit they could finish that damn spaceship if they stop wasting money on lawyers and patent suits!

Alobotnad says:

If you can't beat 'em, sue 'em.

danieljay82 says:

At the end of the day someone wins a Galaxy Nexus. Who cares about Apples lawyers or lawsuits? Gimme some Nexus love!

Francois Gregoire says:

Patent was supposed to be used to help innovation, but, the more I see them used, the more I found that their used to restrain innovation.

The worst patents so far are for software...

I really think that we should stop patented software right now and right here.

It just do not make any more sense now

Art_Vandelay says:

Breathe Google, breathe...
Apple is just trying to take a bite out of your Jelly Bean!

KJH says:

If corporations spent their energy on innovation instead of these pointless turf wars, we'd all have flying cars by now

bass_lover1 says:

I like how Apple has to go after Samsung over a SOFTWARE patent on a phone that they only designed the hardware for. Kinda goes to show the ignorance of the judge on this. I also like how the judge is quoted saying that this infringement is causing harm to Apple. Really? Because Google's voice search is SUCH a much better selling point to the lay consumer than Apple's Siri.

jcjenk says:

I can't believe that "slide to unlock" was granted a patent. I'm even more surprised that Apple thinks that would be a reason I would buy a competitors product.

pheatton says:

Its one thing to protect whats yours its another thing to just be a jerk and go after anyone that shows any sign of fighting back against you....