Defiant HTC breaks silence over Apple lawsuit

Apple's filing relates to 12 HTC phones, several of them Android devices

Mobile handset maker HTC has denied stealing intellectual property relating to the Apple iPhone.

Apple filed a lawsuit against HTC earlier this month claiming infringement of 20 patents relating to the iPhone's user interface, hardware and architecture.

At the time HTC did not respond, saying it needed time to investigate the filings, but in a statement yesterday it roundly rejected Apple's allegations and said it will fully defend itself.

“HTC strongly advocates intellectual property protection and will continue to respect other innovators and their technologies as we have always done, but we will continue to embrace competition through our own innovation as a healthy way for consumers to get the best mobile experience possible,” said Peter Chou, HTC chief executive, in a statement.

Apple's complaint was filed with the US International Trade Commission in a Delaware District Court and relates to 12 HTC phones, including five that run Google software.

HTC originally made smartphones based on Windows software but last year it began producing devices based on the Android operating system, such as the Nexus One, the Dream/G1 and the Hero.

Google announced on 3 March that it will support HTC in its legal battle with Apple.