HTC is in the news again. Seems like the Taiwanese mobile manufacturer is on a suing spree. Although this time it’s not Apple, instead HTC has sued a French blog HTC-Hub for early unboxing of their new smartphones HTC One S and One X.
Well, the unboxing video isn’t exactly an infringement or leak, as the above mentioned series of smartphones had already been announced at the Mobile World Congress held earlier this year. Also, the video of unboxing of the smartphones, was uploaded just a few hours prior to their sale in Europe. The harsh legal action, seems to be uncalled for, however HTC is pulling all its legal muscle to make sure that they seize back the One S and One X models from HTC-Hub.
The HTC-centric French blog, states that it stands clear of any infringements, as they had not obtained the smartphones from the manufacturer. Hence, they cannot be subjected to the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Such agreements are used when manufacturers feel the need to put early reviews by the media, on hold, until the device is publicly available.
HTC-Hub refuses to disclose any information regarding the source, from where they had procured the models One S and One X, but maintains that they didn’t get it from HTC. As per the website, when asked for review units, the manufacturer’s PR Agency told them their inability to source advance units of the smartphones.
HTC is no mood to listen to the French blog and has started filing a civil suit against them. And it does not stop here, the Taiwanese manufacturer has mobilized its French arm, in order to seize the smartphone models from HTC-Hub.
It’s not just HTC, but host of other manufacturers, make this mistake of dismissing their own consumers excitement and enthusiasm, thinking that they are safeguarding their products from other competitors.
