S3 Sues Apple Over 3D Graphics Rendering
There may be some question as to why HTC would want to acquire S3 graphics.
However, since S3 has hit Apple with yet a patent infringement lawsuit, we can safely assume that the acquisition was mainly about S3's patent base. S3 claims that Apple has been violating two of its patents, a VGA controller patent as well as well as a technology that describes "Block- and band-oriented traversal in three-dimensional triangle rendering".
According to S3, all major Apple hardware products are affected by the infringement, including the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and desktop and notebook computers such as the MacBook series as well as the iMac. S3 is asking for a permanent injunction against Apple that would prevent the company from further patent infringement. It is also asking for "adequate" compensation, triple damages and the usual array of reimbursement of legal fees.
It is yet another strategic move in an increasingly complex patent battle that will only get more difficult as the contenders bolster their patent portfolio. By itself, S3 is largely irrelevant today.
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However, since S3 has hit Apple with yet another patent infringement lawsuit, we can safely assume that the acquisition was mainly about S3's patent base. S3 claims that Apple has been violating two of its patents, a VGA controller patent as well as a technology that describes "Block- and band-oriented traversal in three-dimensional triangle rendering".
desktop and notebook computers such as the MacBook series and the iMac
Wow my first video card was an S3 Virge 2MB soldered on with anothe 2MB in upgrade sockets.
Go S3 help stop crapples nonscence.
So, the tables have turned!
And so the battle of the lawyers begin.
And so the battle of the lawyers begin.
Ah ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaa
Payback is a bitch isn't Apple
Did Apple not realize that when they started suing everyone for everything to maintain market dominance that eventually the end result would be everyone suing the crap out of them in retaliation?
The end result of this may well be that Apple looses their market dominance simply because they have all of their resources tied up in litigation and not in research and development.
In the beginning Steve Jobs "One Ring to Rule them All" philosophy prevented Apple from ruling the home computer market when they clearly had the superior system over the PC. Instead of sharing it with the industry they sued everyone who tried to imitate it and in the end Microsoft won and they were forced to live on the fringe of the computer world in small niche markets.
It looks like history is about to repeat itself.
It's actually quite simple...
Via + S3 + HTC are owned by a couple, husband and wife. They help each other make points against Apple....
S3 still exists? And it owns meaningful patents related to 3D?
How is it possible that these patents only affect Apple? Is the rest of the industry already paying them fees for what they own?
S3 still exists? And it owns meaningful patents related to 3D? How is it possible that these patents only affect Apple? Is the rest of the industry already paying them fees for what they own?
It is owned by HTC now. They can choose who to sue
good, i hope more companies keep suing Apple to give them a taste of their own medicine. If enough people sue them i may no longer have to put up with their crappy fad products, and the Apple zombie infection will be over.
S3: We want to sue you for infringement.
Apple: Challenge Accepted.
I hope that S3 wins as they really do need a few nickles and dimes compared to the vast profits that Apple makes off the backs of slave labor in Chinese factories.
>>It is also asking for "adequate" compensation, triple damages and the usual array of reimbursement of legal fees.
must! charge premium 'cause it's apple.
I can only say if Apple losses to S3 patens Apple will have to pay and I will respect that decision.
But to say it clearly, when a German judge found merits in Apple claiming against Samsung many here and there said the judge received money or pressure from Apple or invalidated and discredited that decision. Still today many here are arguing there is no other possible way to design a tablet and that Apple got away with the minimalistic design patent. All this discredits the German decision.
But now what are some you going to say if Apple losses? The system suddenly works, alleluia!
Do you really believe in the judges and the jury with their faults and merits or do you already make up your mind and know what you are going to say if Apple looses on wins? Now call me fanboy.
@ Thunderfox--
S3 has a very important patent on 3d---S3TC/DXTC which I believe is still a part of every single graphics chip in use today. Or at least the fundamental building blocks of the modern version of TC.
Block and Band oriented traversal is too obvious a method for drawing triangles in a 3D image. Why does the US patent office give such obvious patent trolls away?
So, the tables have turned!
I hate to do it but, don't you mean the "Tablet's" have turned....... I have some phone jokes too....
Apple brought this on itself. That's what you get for playing dirty. Karma is a bitch.
I remember my first real worth mentioning 'gaming' rig had an S3 Savage card. Seriously, they haven't been doing anything with these patents. They're now irrelevant. In reality I think patent law has become ridiculous. If a company isn't doing anything worthwhile with their patents other than sitting on them or suing someone else for using them I think it's time they expire.
Yes, its definitely time someone sued Apple for copyright infringement.
Are they not making a mint by overcharging people for the same tech just because it has an apple on it? How much more money does Apple really need?
Maybe Al Gore should sue Apple for copyright infringement because he invented the internet.
I remember having an S3 Virge video card. It never worked right. Guess that is why the company isn't really relevant today.
What comes around goes around.
And so the battle of the lawyers begin.
BEGIN? This wasn't the first shot across Apple's bow... And of course, it won't be the last.
@falchard
S3 is not a patent troll, they are a legitimate designer in graphics industry way back before nvidia and ATI/AMD overran them to near extinction.
Some of you readers are too young to remember S3, so you're excused...but no, S3 is not a patent troll, this is just the answer to Apple's legal crap.
Block and Band oriented traversal is too obvious a method for drawing triangles in a 3D image. Why does the US patent office give such obvious patent trolls away?
Apple got patent for tablet design.. how about that? isn't that too obvious?
I'll be glad if Apple loses not becouse I accualy think that S3 patents are worth anything and Apple hurt S3, but becouse they screwed Samsung over Galaxy Tab
S# has to make money now some way right? LOL
Apple products are overpriced. If there is one company that will be least affected by Apple is paying royalties. Considering the amount of patents Apple has, it probably will receive more than it pays.
Fixed:
S3 still exists? And it owns meaningful patents related to 3D? How is it possible that these patents only affect Apple? Is the rest of the industry already paying them fees for what they own?
IBM invented the hard drive 55 years ago, I suppose that is irellevant? It doesn't matter how long ago or whether the industry has moved onto more advanced systems, if you copy it and don't pay appropriate dues to the patent holder it is still an infrigement.