Tech followers will have noticed the recent decision by the German courts to allow the Samsung galaxy to be sold in Germany. It marks the latest twist in a long-running and bitter saga between Apple and Samsung. It also reflects a growing trend in the tech industry with what people are beginning to call ‘patent wars’. Many tech commentators have noticed many takeovers and acquisitions being driven more by the desire to secure valuable technology patents rather than for more general business considerations. The trouble and inconvenience Apple have been able to cause Samsung through the courts is a reminder of the value of a broad patent.
The best known and most restrictive patent is the Amazon ‘1-click’ patent, also known as ‘the notorious patent’. Fortunately for consumers, the number of patents held relating to laptop spare parts such as laptop batteries, laptop screens and laptop chargers is more limited. Laptop screens for example are manufactured by other large Taiwanese companies such as AUO and CMO which limits the intellectual property the OEMs have in this area and their ability to restrict the aftermarket. The same applies in laptop chargers and adapters (whose manufacturers are Delta Electronics and Liteon) and laptop batteries (whose OEM producers are Simplo and Dynapack). These arrangements whilst seeming inconsequential, allow premium companies such as Laptop Power UK to be able to supply the public with a full range of original spare parts for laptops, as opposed to having to overpay by going direct to restrictive high street brands.
This entry was posted on Thursday, January 5th, 2012 at 7:19 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.