HTC faced another setback in its attempts to counter Apple’s legal campaign on Monday after the ITC denied its original patent counter complaint. Judge Charles Bullock determined that Apple hadn’t violated four patents for basics such as phone dialing and energy management. The patents were valid, but Apple’s iPads, iPhones, and iPods didn’t violate them, Bullock ruled.
A final hearing verifying the findings is due in February. HTC still has a second ITC dispute underway with Apple, but it might not be decided until 2012.
