If HTC sues Apple over Touch name, does Apple get to sue over HTC stealing everything else?


The buzz around the web today is that HTC may have a case against Apple over the term “touch” being used for the new mulit-touch enabled iPod. First, it’s important to point out that HTC did not bring this up, it was a trademark lawyer that was either asked, or volunteered the idea that HTC might have a case.

Beyond the fact that this is ridiculous (in my opinion, anyway) if HTC were bold enough to try and sue a company they just completely ripped off, Apple could fairly easily file a counter suit in regards to the functions and features of the HTC Touch.

For the record, HTC chief Peter Chou has said he believes that the Apple device’s name is a compliment to his company’s own naming scheme, but has refused to officially comment about the possibility of a lawsuit.

It has been added that the fact that the iPod Touch and the HTC Touch have similar functions such as in its media playback, touchscreen, and Wi-Fi functions may be enough to spark a suit by itself. Personally, I think if anyone is going to be filing that suit, it will be Apple. The HTC Touch debuted in July, mimicking many of the iPhone’s features and functionality.

I seriously doubt anything further will develop from this, but if it does, it will certainly be interesting.


Kokou Adzo

Kokou Adzo is a stalwart in the tech journalism community, has been chronicling the ever-evolving world of Apple products and innovations for over a decade. As a Senior Author at Apple Gazette, Kokou combines a deep passion for technology with an innate ability to translate complex tech jargon into relatable insights for everyday users.

3 Comments

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  1. Lawyer: “hey, you see apple over there? I’ll bet you could kick his @$$”

    HTC: “but I don’t want to…”

    Lawyer: “aww, come on! you’ll be ok. It’ll get broken up before anything really happens anyway. But now people will know who we are.

    HTC: “o-k… if your sure…”

  2. Media playback, wi-fi and a full-screen touchscreen IS NOT enough to spark a lawsuit. Maybe multi-touch. MAYBE.

    See:
    Palm TX
    Nokia 770
    Nokia N800
    Palm LifeDrive

    ^ Those devices all have touchscreen, wifi and media playback. Surprise! Apple didn’t patent any of those things!