Lodsys requests 2 months to respond to Apple (Updated)

A few weeks ago, Apple filed a motion to intervene in Lodsys' controversial lawsuit against a handful of iOS app developers. Lodsys was required to respond to Apple's request by June 27, 2011, but the company has asked for a two month extension. If a judge approves this extension, Lodsys will have until August 27 to respond to Apple's intervention request.

The patent holding company affirms this extension is not a stall tactic and claims Apple agrees to this delay. If true, this motion may be approved by the judge and developers may have to sweat it out another two months. Lodsys will also be free to broaden its lawsuit by sending out letters to additional developers.

This legal maneuver could put developers in a difficult position. Apple may be stalled for the next two months, while Lodsys decides what to do. Of course, Apple and Google could use this time to work out an agreement with Lodsys. In the meantime, though, Lodsys could continue to breathe down the necks of the development community. Even the most steel-nerved developers may crack under this pressure and sign a licensing agreement just to get Lodsys out of the way.

Update: Lodsys refiled its request and asked for an extension of one month which the judge is likely to grant. The initial two-month extension was done by mistake.

[Via The Loop]

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Source: http://fosspatents.blogspot.com/2011/06/lodsys-asks-for-two-…

A few weeks ago, Apple filed a motion to intervene in Lodsys' controversial lawsuit against a handful of iOS app developers. Lodsys was...

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KiP

"Update: Lodsys refiled its request and asked for an extension of one month which the judge is likely to grant. The initial two-month extension was done by mistake."

*Mistake* on the extension duration?? Whether it was truly a mistake or a legal tactic, it makes these f=34$ticks look like the a88h0les that they really are.

June 23 2011 at 10:35 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Eric Swinson

It's funny how Lodsys asks for additional time to prepare when they were so quick to cut short the "preparation time" they originally offered the developers to consider settling with them by filing suit well before their own imposed deadline.

June 23 2011 at 2:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dorjesyber

Me thinks Apple's likely not in agreement with the extension, at least not one that will allow Lodsys to keep harassing developers signed on to Apple's developer agreement. If the extension also puts a hold to litigation generated by Lodsys regarding these "patents" then I could see Apple being "okay" with it. Everything goes in hold for two months while Lodsys comes to terms with the grave they dug themselves.

June 22 2011 at 5:21 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Jeremiah

"Of course Apple and Google could use this time to work out an agreement with Lodsys."

I must have missed the press release indicating its willingness to defend its developers or ceding that responsibility to Apple. Link please?

June 22 2011 at 2:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to Jeremiah's comment

Publius

And clearly, because you didn't see it, it doesn't exist.

Do your own research.

June 22 2011 at 3:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mr Lizard

http://www.macworld.com/article/160031/2011/05/apple_legal_lodsys_letter_text.html

June 22 2011 at 3:31 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Gal Cohen

So they want Apple to give them space but they can still hassle the developers? I hope the judge throws this out and tells them to f$#% off in legalese

June 22 2011 at 2:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply