You've got to be kidding me. This patent better show the exact algorithm used to identify the song, and the way that it checks the beat, the rhythm, the melody, the pitch, etc. If the other apps use different algorithms, then it's not patent infringement.

If they got a patent just for the "idea" of music recognition software, and the company never had a method or a product that works, then that's ridiculous.

On top of that its not AT&T or Apple or any of the other companies listed in the law suit. The iphone and other devices are not made for this purpose. They didn't make the software that tags songs either. A 3rd party developer did. They wont go after the 3rd party developer because there is no money in it. They want the big boys to pay. THE US PATENT SYSTEM IS BROKEN!

You see why Apple's multitouch patent is c***?

But they can't find out whether it is infringing without suing, which brings on discovery which brings on 'how its done'.

But I'm not sure how the lawsuit has merit, as I thought the iPhone app did its business by analyzing the song, not by specifying what, where, and when the song was played, and getting the information from a play list (which no one will have for a while, as they're just playing the song now).

This suit is ridiculous and has no legal basis. No third party operating in good faith can be held accountable for verifying whether a supplier has legal rights to a patent. If Microsoft violates my patent in Windows Media Player, I cannot Dell. There is no precedent allowing such action.

Instead, this is an attempt for this company (and the law firm) to get press attention and heighten the value of settlement. This will increase the profile of the law firm in handling such cases and improve the its revenues in a bad economic climate.

Obviously they aren't suing Shazam because Shazam isn't infringing on this patent. I believe their are devices that note the time and radio station to determine the song, as this patent covers. That's a reasonably clever thing to patent. Too bad they are suing all the wrong companies.

Ok, here's the product they are complaining about, and yes it appears that Apple was directly involved in developing and supporting this.

http://www.hdradio.com/iTunesTagging/
http://www.macworld.com/article/59913/2007/09/itunestagging.html

And Microsoft got into the game too:
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/index.cfm?fa=Articles.showArticle&artaid=90323

But again, nothing to do with Shazam.

Any digital signal can contain the information needed without "perusing the net". My 2004 Toyota's radio will show me the title and performer/band of all songs as they play on certain stations.

the HD Radio is not a apple product. All that the iPod does is carry the file over written into it by HD Radio and iTunes reads the file. Now, the data is generated by HD Radio and since it uses digital methods to relay the frequency, it can also send the tag over automatically - much like a tv program where the synopsis of a program is sent over the wire / air. There is no innovation here. The data munching that Shazam does is completely different and I do not see Tune Hunt provide the info in the same / similar algo used by Shazam.

Actually what Tune Hunt is claiming as a patent is already an idea available in daily use as is exemplified by the Television channels and all the HD Radios.

This person certainly got the patent because the patent guys do not know between the a** of an a** or the zebra. They all look the same to them. Here is a patent troll / squatter who just wants to make some money.