You know, one day I hope I can write a positive story about HTC, because right now it’s just one piece of bad news after the other. Last week, the U.S. International Trade Commission said HTC’s phones were violating some of Nokia’s patents. I didn’t cover the news, because let’s be honest, patent fights are boring. But this patent just got a hell of a lot more interesting thanks to a report from The Wall Street Journal that says HTC is now working with Qualcomm, the company that makes the guts of HTC’s phones, to fix the One before it gets banned.
Yes, you read that right. The HTC One could face a potential ban in the United States beginning this January if HTC doesn’t work with Qualcomm to fix the One’s hardware so that it doesn’t infringe on Nokia’s patents. Note that this isn’t the first time Nokia has tripped up HTC, there was that whole microphone scandal with STMicroelectronics that nearly caused the One to get banned in Europe.
Why are companies picking on HTC? Because the best way to eliminate your competition is to repeatedly kick them in the face, especially if they’re on the floor, rolled up in a little ball. That’s the situation HTC is unfortunately finding themselves in as they try to compete with an inflated and demoralized staff.
