Posted by Greg Mills

Apple is launching Lion soon, but in US Federal Courts, Trade Commissions and patent auctions the company is acting more like a Tiger. Apple filed a Federal Lawsuit last year against every handset maker who produces Google Android handsets alleging enfringement of Patents.

The effects of any success in these pitched court battles will certainly have a marked effect on the Android Platform and the entire landscape of the mobile computing market. HTC has just been named by Apple in a filing with the US International Trade Commission, for importing handsets and slate computers that Apple claims infringe on its Patents for the iPhone and iPad.

While not a court, the US Trade Commission can stop a company that is importing goods made outside the country. This, in conjuction with court action can effectively stop imported goods from reaching our market. All mobile devices are assemble over seas due to much higher labor and government induced overhead here in the US.

HTC, one of the handset makers under legal attack by Apple lost 13% in stock valuation recently as the market reacts to the possible ban on HTC handsets being imported into the US. The market for smartphone and slate computers in the US is critical for all the mobile computing players.

The outcome of the actual patent cases won't come nearly as fast as rulings by the Trade Commission, some of which are due later this week. A ruling granting Apple's request to stop the import of iPhone look alikes may seriously hurt the Android platform, much to the delight of Microsoft, RIM and Apple. The competitors of Android intend to stop the run away train any way they can.

HTC has just posted a response to Apple's newest legal action:

HTC general counsel Grace Lei: “HTC is dismayed that Apple has resorted to competition in the courts rather than the market place. HTC continues to vehemently deny all of Apple’s past and present claims against it and will continue to protect and defend its own intellectual property as it has already done this year.”