HTC One X and EVO 4G LTE delayed due to potential Apple patent infringment

We do know that intellectual property and patents are the modern “ammunition” used in corporate circles these days, and HTC is reeling from the fact that they might not be able to sell the HTC One X on AT&T and the HTC EVO 4G LTE as both smartphones are delayed indefinitely by the US Customs simply because there is a very high possibility of an infringement made upon Apple’s patent #5,946,647. Apple picked up an exclusion order against HTC in December 2011 at the International Trade Commission, where the ITC arrived at the conclusion that Android’s messaging app and browser infringed upon an Apple patent.

This ban was delayed in order to enable HTC to perform a reengineering process around the patent, but since it has gone into effect on April 19th, any importation of Android devices from HTC that infringes upon that patent will be banned, and HTC has stepped forward to say this, “The US availability of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed due to a standard U.S. Customs review of shipments that is required after an ITC exclusion order. We believe we are in compliance with the ruling and HTC is working closely with Customs to secure approval. The HTC One X and HTC Evo 4G LTE have been received enthusiastically by customers and we appreciate their patience as we work to get these products into their hands as soon as possible.”

I do hope that things clear up sooner rather than later though.