Summary: The "Apple"-branded hypePad and hypePhone are at risk of being banned as more and more companies roar to defend Android from the Cupertino-based bully

TWO days ago we wrote about Apple getting some blowback after it had sued Android through manufacturers rather than through Google. Apple is a patent aggressor and sometimes the only way to deal with an aggressor is to fight back. Android is winning, so Apple does the only thing it has got left: playing silly.

Reports in multiple languages suggest that Verizon is now helping the fight against Apple as it "goes to bat for Samsung in patent war with Apple":

Well, it was really only a matter of time before third parties stuck their nose in the ongoing battle between Apple and Samsung. For most of this time others have stood on the sidelines, occasionally shouting moral support. But, no one has rolled up their sleeves and put up their dukes for either party -- that is, until now. Verizon has requested permission to file a brief with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, asking it to deny Apple's request for a nation-wide injunction against the Infuse 4G, Galaxy S 4G, Droid Charge and Galaxy Tab 10.1.

There are already 21 actions involving just this one pair of companies, with Samsung now seeking a ban on Apple-branded products even in Europe, as expected last week. Meanwhile, "Apple has reduced the number of patent claims it will pursue against Samsung in Australia to four following negotiations with the rival tablet maker," writes James Hutchinson. Is Apple running away? Let us hope so.

There is also a talk about software patent auctions and LTE's wireless patents, which might be something that the Microsoft/Apple cartel would pursue in order to subvert competition. This is all they have left in the face of strong competition from Linux (new market statistics still show Android rising sharply). ⬆