Apple Letter Disregarded, Lodsys Sues App Developers Anyway

Earlier this month, several iOS developers were threatened with patent lawsuits by in-app purchasing patent holder, Lodsys. Apple had licensed the IP from Lodsys and believes that it extends to their app developers. Apple even sent a letter stating that it would fight for its developers should Lodsys proceed. Well, apparently that didn't scare the patent troll at all, and today it has proceeded to sue 7 iOS app developers.

Today, Lodsys filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, asserting two of its four patents against the following 7 iOS app developers:

- Combay: Mega Poker Onlne Texas Holdem for iPhone

- Iconfactory: Twitterific for iPhone, Twitterriffic for iPad and for Mac

- Illusion Labs: Labyrinth for iPhone and for Android

- Michael G. Karr: 69 positions for iPhone

- Quickoffice: Quickoffice Connect for iPhone

- Richard Shinderman: Hearts and Daggers for iPhone

- Wulven Games: Shadow Era for iPhone

Two of the defendants are based outside of the U.S., and at least one involves an Android app. Lodsys has threatened before that Android developers would be next on their target. The plaintiff is asking for injunctions and damages and even claims that any infringement continuing after its notification to the app developers will be considered willful.

We'll have to wait and see if Apple follows through to defend its developers.

[via Foss Patents]