The patent document describes a “mobile entertainment and communication device in a palm-held size housing [that] has a cellular or satellite telephone”, can connect to the Internet, read and write to memory cards, playback multimedia files, and possibly even contains other great things like a camera, a GPS module, or a microphone. The patent therefore describes just about every modern smartphone on the market.
Minerva is therefore not only pressing charges against Apple (for its iPhone, of course), but also against the entire Who’s Who of the mobile communications industry: RIM, Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG, Palm, Samsung, T-Mobile USA, AT&T, etc. The list is long, with 33 companies facing charges. At the same time, none of the firms facing charges will be surprised. After all, Minerva’s intentions have been clear for more than a year.
In the summer of 2007, Minerva filed suit against a number of major industry players with a similar patent. Indeed, the business model of Minerva “Industries” can be summed up distinctly: get a few patents, and press charges. Under ” Products “, the company’s website presents sketches of four patents. The new patent, 7,321,783 , was officially issued on January 22.
The same day, Minerva filed charges in three cases: against Apple and AtlanticRT, against RIM and Cricket Communications and against Motorola and numerous other mobile communications firms. The boat equipment supplier from Florida is facing charges only because it sells a certain kind of satellite cell phone. Applied for in 2003, the patent was expected to be granted last summer. The application is based on a similar patent, 6,681,120 , which was applied for in 2000 and granted in 2004.
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