So, Apple vs Google in the courts, with HTC as the first manufacturer to be Made An Example Of. I think The Register has it spot on here:

"The case will take years to resolve, but that's no bad thing for Apple: manufacturers are going to be hesitant to create Android handsets when an Apple victory could put them out of business, a long drawn-out case could threaten the future of Android just as much as an Apple victory."

This isn't a money-making gesture, it's hitting Google precisely where it hurts most: by discouraging other handset vendors to adopt Android at all.