Google's Eric Schmidt claims Apple litigates, doesn't innovate

Google's Eric Schmidt spoke at a mobile conference in Tokyo and addressed HTC's early loss to Apple in a patent infringement case. Schmidt believes HTC will prevail and is "not too worried about this" case. He also added that Google will "make sure" HTC does not lose this case.

Schmidt didn't say how Google would support the Taiwanese handset maker, but cash and legal counsel are the two obvious contributions. His response also suggests this umbrella of protection would extend to any manufacturer facing litigation over Android.

It wouldn't be a proper Schmidt talk without some controversy and the Google chief did not disappoint. Instead of addressing the infringement issues brought up by the complaint, Schmidt took a pot shot at Apple when he indirectly accuses the company of using lawsuits instead of innovation to compete in the marketplace. Schmidt says,

"We have seen an explosion of Android devices entering the market and, because of our successes, competitors are responding with lawsuits as they cannot respond through innovations."

Schmidt can say all he wants about Apple as this childish banter means very little in the marketplace. All this controversy will be forgotten later today when Apple announces its Q3 2011 earnings and knocks everyone socks off.