Summary Box: HTC swipes back at Apple in patent dispute, targets iPhone and other devices

Summary Box: HTC swipes back in patent dispute

THE DISPUTE: Taiwanese cell phone maker HTC Corp. is filing a patent complaint against Apple Inc. over its popular gadgets. In March, Apple Inc. had filed its own patent lawsuits against HTC.

THE LANDSCAPE: The legal dispute comes amid increased competition to Apple’s iPhone from smart phones running Google Inc.’s Android software. HTC makes several Android phones.

THE EFFECT: Nothing in the short term. Phones from both companies should still be available for sale. These disputes often lead to licensing agreements rather than outright bans on sales.