Apple faces new patent suit from VIA Technologies

With just weeks before it is rumored to release its highly anticipated iPhone 5, Apple Inc. faces new litigation, this time from a Taiwanese firm. VIA Technologies accused Apple of infringing three of its patents on microprocessor functionality in the iPhone, iPod and Apple TV, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported. The CNA report said VIA filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court of Delaware and a complaint with the US International Trade Commission. It noted VIA is an affiliate of smartphone maker HTC Corp., which has also tangled with Apple in similar patent-related fights. Cher Wang, VIA's chairwoman, is also the chairwoman of HTC. Last July, HTC acquired graphic chipset designer S3 Graphics Co. from VIA to boost its IP portfolio to fight with Apple. Also, VIA claimed it has built up an extensive intellectual property portfolio including more than 5,000 patents after years of heavy investments in technology research and development. A separate article on tech site CNET noted VIA claims to be "a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms." It added this was the latest legal salvo aimed at Apple in recent months. Apple is tangling with Korea-based Samsung over Apple's iOS devices. — TJD, GMA News