HTC sues Apple -- with Google's patents

I am surprised that no-one is angry that Google basically gave these to HTC for no gain, except merely to allow HTC to sue Apple. There is no intention by either company to utilise, or innovate from, these patents!

As soon as Apple finds a legal avenue with which to strike at Google directly, Mountain View is going to seriously regret giving these patents to HTC. They (HTC) won't be able to just give them back to Google because they will still be involved in litigation over those patents with Apple, leaving Google highly vulnerable (those who have taken the time to examine Motorola's portfolio do not rate the patents within very highly.)

Not that HTC could give back the patents even if they had finished litigation with them - no court in the world is going to find Apple liable to HTC for a set of patents, and then later find Apple liable to a different company for the exact same set of infringements with the exact same set of patents. So (now, after Google's actions) they can never be a shield for Google and they have no inherent threat value to Apple except via action by HTC alone.

And AGAIN Google has decided to favour some Android manufacturers over others. As if the Motorola deal wasn't sticking in their craws (did you see how they sent congratulations for the deal via gritted teeth?) they now have Google giving up what ought to be a shield for all of them, to just one manufacturer!

i think google should grow a PAIR and fight their own battles....at least apple has the balls to sue who ever when ever and even when they are not right hahaha

However much trouble Apple gets in, they have it coming, being the biggest patent troll of all...They started this fight and don't play especially fair themselves. (distorted comparison-pictures... Really?) Apple is acting like a big old Microsoft trampling the competition, so there'll be a lot of crap like this flying around the next couple of years.

I think these lawsuits should only be allowed if the company that is suing had the patents when they were first violated. If they belonged to another company at the time, then they shouldn't be able to sue someone.

Patent trolls... kill them with fire.

I think the world would be a better place if patents were non-transferrable. With a herd of patent trolls out there - only big companies have any chance of surviving (let alone accomplishing anything.)

So, is Google in on the thing, or is HTC just pointing and yelling, "I'm telling on you!" I mean, how and why do you sue for infringement of patents you don't own? Wouldn't they need Google's permission? And if so, why doesn't Google just fight their own damned battle?

Does not compute.