Interesting news here:
Apple's current chief patent lawyer is reportedly leaving the company after failing to block Android manufacturers from using iPhone-like features.
According to Reuters, Richard "Chip" Lutton, who lists Apple as his current employer on LinkedIn, is leaving for unknown reasons. BJ Wastrous, most recently HP's chief of intellectual property and licensing, updated his position last month to "VP and Chief IP Counsel" at Apple.
Patent litigation is a common strategy used by electronics manufacturers, as patents can prevent rivals from using certain functionalities in their devices; patents can also force rivals to pay licensing fees (just ask Microsoft).
"It's possible that Apple's leadership wants the patent department to become more effective, especially in terms of litigation," said Florian Mueller, intellectual property analyst. "They are probably disappointed that the first ITC complaint against HTC didn't go too well," he added, referring to Apple's attempts to win an injunction over HTC devices.
Mueller also told Reuters that Apple probably wanted to see more results from its litigation against Google Android. After all, most of Apple's litigation venom is aimed squarely at its biggest rival....
full story:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388374,00.asp (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388374,00.asp)