2011/09/23 20:34:41

Taipei, Sept. 23 (CNA) VIA Technologies Inc., a Taiwan-based central process unit supplier, said Friday it has initiated litigation against U.S. high-tech giant Apple for patent infringement.

VIA said it has filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court of Delaware and a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission accusing Apple of infringing three patents asserted by the Taiwanese firm.

According to VIA, the three alleged patents covered microprocessor functionality featured in Apple’s iPhone, iPod and Apple TV devices.

VIA said the legal action showed the company’s determination to protect its intellectual property rights and the interests of shareholders when its patents were infringed upon.

The Taiwanese company said it has built up an extensive IP portfolio consisting of more than 5,000 patents after years of heavy investments in technology research and development.

The company said based on an internal assessment, it has faith it will win the litigation against Apple due to its efforts in R&D to boost its patent assets.

VIA is an affiliate of smartphone maker HTC Corp., which has tangled in intensive legal fights with Apple as they have accused each other of patent infringement.

In July, HTC acquired graphic chipset designer S3 Graphics Co. from VIA in a bid to enrich its IP portfolio to fight with Apple.

Cher Wang, chairwoman of VIA, is also the chairwoman of HTC.

source:http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aECO&ID=201109230026