S3 Sues Apple Over 3D Graphics Rendering

News
By Wolfgang Gruener
published

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.

Wolfgang Gruener
41 Comments Comment from the forums
  • QEFX
    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


    Reply
  • Unolocogringo
    Wow my first video card was an S3 Virge 2MB soldered on with anothe 2MB in upgrade sockets.
    Go S3 help stop crapples nonscence.
    Reply
  • rohitbaran
    So, the tables have turned!
    Reply
  • aznshinobi
    And so the battle of the lawyers begin.
    Reply
  • aznshinobi
    And so the battle of the lawyers begin.
    Reply
  • megamanx00
    Ah ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaa

    Payback is a bitch isn't Apple
    Reply
  • SmileyTPB1
    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.
    Reply
  • mariush
    It's actually quite simple...

    Via + S3 + HTC are owned by a couple, husband and wife. They help each other make points against Apple....
    Reply
  • Thunderfox
    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?
    Reply
  • alikum
    ThunderfoxS3 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 :) Yea, payback is a biatch. I'd love to see them filing an injunction and prevent Apple from launching their iPhone. That'd be funny
    Reply