Apple hit with another two filings by S3 Graphics

Computer graphics firm S3 Graphics has filed two further complaints against Apple, ahead of the finalisation of its acquisition by Taiwanese handset maker HTC.

S3 Graphics has filed an International Trade Commission (ITC) complaint and a federal lawsuit in the District of Delaware claiming infringement of two patents relating to 3D rendering and circuitry.

The Delaware filing lists several electronic devices and components, including the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

The latest filings will increase the animosity between HTC and Apple, which are embroiled in a bitter legal dispute. The battle kicked off when Apple filed a suit alleging that HTC had infringed 20 patents used in the iOS interface in March 2010.

In response, HTC filed an ITC complaint against Apple, and a countersuit which HTC strengthened after buying patents from Google in early September.

The news comes as network operator Verizon openly sided with Samsung and asked a US court to prevent Apple getting a preliminary injunction against Samsung products.

Verizon claims in the filing with a US court that granting a preliminary injunction against Samsung will cause substantial harm to consumers and Verizon.

However, software patent specialist Florian Mueller stated that, although this looks like a blow for Apple, the iPhone maker still has the upper hand in its lawsuits against HTC and Samsung.

"Ultimately, neither Samsung or HTC can fend off Apple's patent assertions just by way of public statements and scatter shot litigation," he said on the Foss Patents blog.

"If they want to achieve anything, they will have to score important wins in court. So far, Apple is on the winning track against both of them."