HTC accused of infringing Apple patents

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has found HTC guilty of infringing Apple patents.

The patent in question was issued in 1999. The title of the patent is "System and Method for Performing an Action on a Structure in Computer-Generated Data." The patent describes the ability of a smartphone to recognize addresses and phone numbers in emails or SMS text messages.

The ITC ruling banned the import of HTC smartphones incorporating this patent into the US. The ban goes into effect on April 19, 2012. During this time, HTC will be able to make changes to the interface of its devices and continue to market them in the US.

Apple's lawsuit, filed back in the spring of 2010, alleged infringement of 20 patents.

In response to the lawsuits, HTC attempted to file counterclaims against Apple and demand a ban on the import of iPhones, iPads, and iPods into the United States.