Quantum sues Apple over iPod clickwheel
updated 12:35 pm EST, Mon January 22, 2007
Quantum sues Apple
Quantum Research Group has filed a lawsuit against Apple over the capacitive touch-sensing technology used in the Cupertino-based company's iPod clickwheels. "We are suing Apple over charge-transfer technology in iPods," said Quantum CEO Hal Philipp. "Some are based on Cypress' PSoC chip and used in a way we believe infringes our patent." The suit was filed in December of 2005, but was kept under wraps by both parties during the ongoing negotiations. Apple has filed a response in the case "denying all material allegations and asserting numerous affirmative defences," according to a report from electronicsweekly.com, and filed "counterclaims for non-infringement and invalidity." Quantum's CEO noted that "There are settlement discussions going on but I believe it will go to trial later this year," adding that "I am hoping iPhone does not contain Quantum-patented charge-transfer technology." The executive clarified that some iPods use a capacitive touch sensor from Synaptics which he says doesn't infringe upon Quantum's patents.
BS Alert!
01/22, 12:44pm reply
"I am hoping iPhone does not contain Quantum-patented charge-transfer technology."
Ohhhh, ssuuuurrrree
wings_rfs
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Joined: Dec 2002
if apple is negotiating
01/22, 12:45pm reply
quietly rather than dismissing it out of hand, then it sounds like there's merit to the suit...
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
Snoooze
01/22, 01:14pm reply
What were Quantum financials like? in the red perhaps? desperately seeking attention maybe?
jarod
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Joined: Apr 2005
Piece of the Pie
01/22, 01:42pm reply
No body bothered with Apple years ago, indeed there was much disparaging; oh what success will bring out of the woodwork! Everybody wants a piece of the success pie! Pitiful, the greed factor in America.
Evangelist
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Joined: Dec 2006
meh..
01/22, 02:00pm reply
Yeah. Cause there aren't any greedy companies in other countries. Oh wait, Quantum Research is based out of the UK. Well, what do ya know about that..
Ever get the feeling that these suits go on constantly in the tech industry and we only ever hear about 2% of them?
Rezzz
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Joined: Jan 2006
Hey wait!
01/22, 02:29pm reply
Is patenting pantented?
I'm gonna be sooo rich!
burger
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Lesson Learned
01/22, 02:52pm reply
Notice how Apple now patents everything?
jeph4e
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Joined: Dec 2005
Well
01/22, 04:20pm reply
It wouldn't be a problem except Apple axed synaptics a while ago so they could do their own click wheel. Hmmm, maybe not such a good move.
What were Quantum financials like? in the red perhaps? desperately seeking attention maybe?
Attention would do them no good. Money would, though. Of course, this lawsuit is over a year old, so its not like they need the money real quick.
No body bothered with Apple years ago, indeed there was much disparaging; oh what success will bring out of the woodwork! Everybody wants a piece of the success pie! Pitiful, the greed factor in America.
(a) How do you know no one sued them before? Just because you don't remember it? I seem to recall a lawsuit on Colorsync (woo, talk about exciting!) and Quicktime way back when. I'm sure there were others. If Apple had settled this a while ago, you probably still would never have heard it.
(b) Here's a question for you. If you owned a patent on some technology that several people could possibly be infringing on, would you (1) sue the company that's down on its luck, bleeding money, and possibly unable to pay, or (2) sue the company with great financials and loads of cash, as you know you'll get your fair shake out of the deal, or (3) just ignore it, because you haven't been able to sell it, so its nice to see someone else making money hand-over-fist in which your invention is a key component.
I'm sure its (3), because you sound like the kind of person who doesn't believe in material things.
testudo
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