iPhone is undoubtedly a revolutionary phone, and Steve Jobs claimed in 2007 launch that its patented. Given the number of Patents these corporations file on a daily basis, it isn’t a surprise that Apple is suing HTC for 20 iPhone related patents. What will follow in the coming months is certainly a long drawn messy court battle where HTC will battle it out with Apple. Incidentally Apple and Nokia are already fighting fiercely in the US courts and ITC for patent disputes. If we go by this trend, almost all cellphone players like RIM, Motorola, Palm would get involved someway of the other soon.
Believe Apple suing HTC addresses the question of why Android held off on implementing multitouch gestures. But why sue HTC and not Palm? – rossrubin