Patent firm IPCom said it had asked the German cell phone retailers to halt the sale of HTC phones for the present, threatening legal action, as HTC has not complied with a court ruling on the injunction of its sales.
IPCcom also apparently approached the Mannheim court, asking it to fine HTC for not following the ruling from the year 2009.
Possible fines from the German court could not only make HTC incur loss of millions of euros, but it would also hurt HTC’s position in one of its key markets. This would only hurt HTC’s reputation further, as it faces the possibility of a negative ruling from the US International Trade Commission, regarding a case against Apple, which could result in a ban on its smartphone sales in the US, where 50% of its sales happen. The decision on that case is due next week.
Though IPCom is hoping for a quick decision in the German case, it could take months before the Manhiem court decides on the request for sanctions, according to patent expert Florian Mueller.
