Two separate companies are alleging that Apple's iPod violates their patents. Advanced Audio Devices has sued Apple claiming its for verifying an subscription online prior to authorizing a download and is seeking 12 percent of Apple's gross on the gross proceeds from iTunes/iPods, according to an interview with a company representative.
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This kind of thing really get to me. Itunes and the iPod have been arounf how long and JUST now they are going to enforce their (most likely) paper patents. It's not like iTunes and the iPod are low profile and could slip under the radar. If you Don't enforce your patent within 1 yr of the start of "enfringement" then you forfit in my opinion. These guys were just waiting for them to become big and established so they could go after the big bucks. They are just like the website squaters.
If you read the patent, it talks about using a an "IBM PC " and walks through lots of DOS gobbledegook explaining how it works. Is it some kind of principle involved, or does this let Apple off the hook?
Welcome to the US Justice System. Have a seat, these suits are going to take awhile.
Europe should take notice since they're considering adopting the same type of patent rules as we're seeing at work here today.
The HK one talks about verifying a subscription before downloading. Shouldn't they be suing Napster since they have a subscription service and Apple doesn't. All the iTMS does is verify that you've purchased the song before downloading. The DRM is in making sure when you play it that you are the person who purchased the song. This suit is going to last all of five minutes in court because the patent has nothing at all to do with the iTMS model. It would be like Boeing suing K-Mart for coping the design of the 747 when K-Mart don't make aircraft.
They just want a piece of Apples pie. It seems a little wierd that these supposeed people or companies only came out now with there patent suits. 1997 and it's 2005 now. Why did they wait so long if they new this in 1997? That's eight years and only now there suing. They just want to get rich quick is my guess.
Can you say SCO?! There are indeed companies whose sole source of income is derived from suing other companies. They buy the patent rights to some esoteric piece of technology and then try to sue anybody with any remotely related, functioning product. The company being sued will usually settle because it's cheaper than fighting.
I read the article, and the patent in question seems a bit vague. First off, could it not apply to all those software vendors who allow you to download a copy of their software after purchase? Second, its only non-broad area is terms of purchase. You know, if the guy was smart, he'd have patented the whole user name/password methodology and just sue everyone who has to log on. Damn, I could make a patent for online user forums! All right. MacNN, be prepared to be sued!
Apple, whack them!
Someone really has to patent lawsuits over stupid patents.
They'd make a mint.
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2004
GREED!
iPod and iTunes have been out for how long? And they're just now taking action?