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http://www.macnn.com/articles/01/06/20/pitney.bowes/

Pitney Bowes sues Apple

updated 07:20 pm EDT, Wed June 20, 2001

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Pitney Bowes has filed suit against 8 different companies, including Apple, alleging patent infringement regarding a technology that allows printers to change the size of dots on paper. Pitney Bowes alleges that Apple infringed on its patent with the LaserWriter line of printers. The company recently settled for $400 million with HP over a similar matter.

by MacNN Staff

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06/20, 07:16pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
lame

It's sounds like the GIF lawsuit all over again.

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06/20, 07:25pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
timing

And there bringing this suit NOW? I wonder what other motivation is behind this, since Apple hasn't actually sold a LaserWriter for a long time.

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06/20, 07:28pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Pathetic

The Laserwriter is how old? Apple stopped making printers in like 1997. It took them this long to figure it out? I don't believe it just because it took them so long to file.

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06/20, 07:41pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
dot size

Actually, laser printers can't change their dot size, and the patent suit doesn't appear to concern that sort of technique. I read it as being about simple fixed-dot antialiasing, which has been used since time immemorial. Prior art, anyone?

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06/20, 07:55pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
there should be a statue

of limitations on broad after the fact lawsuits like this.

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06/20, 08:00pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Lame

Some people have way too much time on their hands...lame and very sad. Pitney Bowes...is business that bad, that you seek advertisement! Grow up!

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06/20, 08:12pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
From how long ago?

I thought that Apple, HP, et. al. got the mechanical guts (engine) for their "Laserjets" from Canon. Why isn't the main culprit Canon, or is the dot-size changing just a little circuit trick?

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06/20, 08:13pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Odd...

That Pitney hasn't seemed to have filed against Canon, which made all of the laser engines for Apple's LaserWriters and all HP engines.
Pitney is in very bad shape business-wise, and seems to be looking for cash flow.

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06/20, 08:47pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
That settles it

I'm starting a new business, and we were looking for a postage scale/meter to make mail-outs easier to do. Pitney Bowes is definitely out now. Anyone have any recommendations? A few of those online companies recently went out of business, and I'm worried about investing in equipment and pre-paid postage.

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06/20, 08:51pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Yes they can!

Laser printers most certainly can change their dot size. Don't you know what changing the LPI does to a print?

I suggest you check out http://graphicdesign.about.com/arts/graphicdesign/library/weekly/aa070998.htm

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06/20, 08:51pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Again...

...with the f****** patents!

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06/20, 08:54pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
patent

US Patent 4,809,021
February 28, 1989

Apparatus and method for generating images by producing light spots of different sizes

An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multi-faceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as
the photoreceptor moves to create dot images on the photoreceptor. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination
and/or for varying dot size. Other embodiments describe producing dot size variation in an ink jet printer, a light emitting diode printer and a thermal printer.

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06/20, 09:05pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
first Pitney Bowes patent

U.S. Patent 4,386,272

Apparatus and method for generating images by producing light spots of different sizes

An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics for correcting inaccuracies in the position of the reflected light resulting from defects in the angular relationship between the plane of the facets and that of the rotating axis of the polygon as well as those errors due to inherent angular misalignment between each of the facets of the rotating polygon. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with the acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying the spot size.

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06/20, 09:08pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
sorry one more

U.S. Patent 4,214,157
July 22, 1980

Apparatus and method for correcting imperfection in a polygon used for laser scanning

An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics for correcting inaccuracies in the position of the reflected light resulting from defects in the angular relationship between the plane of the facets and that of the rotating axis of the polygon as well as those errors due to inherent angular misalignment between each of the facets of the rotating polygon. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with the acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying the spot size.

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06/20, 09:54pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
I wonder...

... if Hanoch Shalit owns a part of Pitney Bowes?

(for those of you who don't remember... Imatec!!)

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06/20, 10:33pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
PB Bad, Apple Good?

The lawsuit against HP started in 1995, so one could assume that they didn't want to go after the smaller guys until they settled with HP. And since HP settled, rather than getting involved in a messy lawsuit, PB could view this as justification that their patent is valid.

As an investor and holder of PBI stock (among many others, including AAPL) I don't understand the statements about PB being in "bad shape." If someone could point out exactly why PB, who has a solid financial track record and good long-term performance, is suddenly in "bad shape," I'd love to know the details.

The engine technology is not a factor in this, but rather the enhancements that each company would make to the basic engine and page description language. HP offered their own Resolution Enhancement technology, and Apple offered something similar called FinePrint.

If Apple knowingly infringed on a PB patent, shouldn't PB be able to benefit from the R&D that no doubt went into developing and patenting such technology? A reality check may be in order.

How would the same folks, that howl about how evil PB is, feel if PB was found to be infringing on an Apple patent? Trust me, folks, Apple, like PB, has a very large patent portfolio, and isn't afraid to leverage it when necessary.

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06/20, 10:50pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Bowes Sues Apple

I have a 1929 encyclopedia yearbook that talks about transmitting pictures
using various dot sizes as a compression technique. Might have been new
that year!

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06/20, 10:50pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Bowes Sues Apple

I have a 1929 encyclopedia yearbook that talks about transmitting pictures
using various dot sizes as a compression technique. Might have been new
that year!

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06/20, 11:55pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Boycott Pitney-Bowels

The USPS should sue their a** for infringing on the postage stamp.

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06/20, 11:55pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
FinePrint

Apple's adjustable dot size technology, known as FinePrint, first appeared in the LaserWriters IIf and IIg in 1991. I don't see how those printers could infringe a 1993 patent.

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06/21, 12:14am | report spam | close Reply | delete
1983 patent

U.S. Patent 4,386,272 was issued May 31, 1983.

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06/21, 12:22am | report spam | close Reply | delete
HP vs Xerox

There may be some validity to this lawsuit. HP is not known for being a legal pushover. When Xerox sued them two years ago for infringing on its ink jet patents, HP pulled out its patent porfolio and countersued. Eventually they settled out of court on supposedly less than favorable terms for Xerox. The fact that HP settled with PB suggests HP may have infringed.

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06/21, 12:35am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Rich Rich Rich!!

boy, and I spent 5.00 on a quick pick in the lottery tonite (90 million jackpot) and I still wouldn't make that much!!

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06/21, 01:33am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Apple Laserwriters

were HP LaserJet OEMs - HP manufactured with an Apple label.

This lawsuit is totally without merit.

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06/21, 03:20am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Expire

Patents expire after 17 years, the author of the patent has the option of either renewing or not, just like apple has the patent on Anti-aliasing text based on surrounding pixels, it has since expired and MS uses the technology for "OpenType" fonts

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06/21, 04:17am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Prior art

To my knowledge, Oki was using the "Variable Dot Size" technology since the late 80's.

Bad luck, HP, you may have got out of this much cheaper ;-)

/sascha

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06/21, 08:52am | report spam | close Reply | delete
not only about variable

You cannot "renew" a patent. You pay maintenance fees for them at set time intervals until their expiration. An even though '272' patent expired last year doesn't mean PB can't sue for infringement by companies during the 90s.

The '272' PB patent is not solely about variable dot. You have to understand patent law: the details are in the claim section. Apparently, the use of optics and electronics to modulate intensity is a key part of the patent.

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06/21, 10:29am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Re: LaserWriters

LaserWriters were never OEM'd from HP. HP and Apple both got the engines for their first laser printers from Canon, hence the ability to use the same toner cartridges. Later LaserWriters, particularly the lower cost units, used engines from Fuji Xerox, and one unit was OEM'd from QPS. HP did build some StyleWriters, the inkjet printers, for Apple, so that's perhaps where you're confused.

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06/21, 03:52pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
actually, it was 1998/9..

when apple ended the laserwriter legacy when they EOL'd the 8500 - a damn fine printer if you can find it used/refurbished. (pity it can't do tabloid - it'd be the holy grail of b&w workgroup printers).

anyway, just for historical referense.

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06/21, 04:55pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Statue of Limitations?

Is the "Statue of Limtations" in Cupertino? Maybe the Judge will be lenient on Apple after the "Flea bargin" arrangments.

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06/21, 05:04pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
I'm Suing!

I'm suing everybody on the internet, I thought of it first and I want some money.

Has the world really come to this?

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06/21, 08:12pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Apple != make print engin

I don�t think that Apple ever made their own print engines, which would be the offending technology.

This sounds like that ColourSync infringement case, where Apple licensed technology from someone else who was being sued. That case got thrown out of court.

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06/21, 10:10pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
other postal machines

Try Ascom-Hassler.

Only sold thru dealers.

PB sux.

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06/22, 12:46am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Doffing your Cap

What is Pitney-Bowes' market cap, anyway; can't Apple fend them off by just buying them? Besides, then we'd be guaranteed Mac compat. with Pit's products. They'd be better off with a trademark/copyright suit over Apple abbrev. PowerBook as 'PB'.

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06/22, 04:18am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Get Back

I threw out my Pitney Bowes business postage meter two years ago. Replaced it with NeoPost. Suggest all who care about such lame lawsuits to consider doing the same. PB meter was e x t r e m e l y slow and cost an arm and a leg for supplies. NeoPost is a bargain (three year lease purchase) and was five+ times faster and much more automated (it can autofeed from a envelope stacker and even seal the envelope) for just a bit more investment.

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06/22, 09:57am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Postage

try www.simplypostage.com
they support the Mac!!

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06/22, 09:57am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Re: expire

That changed to 20 years not too long ago. I don't know if the change was retroactive.

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06/22, 10:02am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Dots...

Weird. You think someone would have gotten smart and used stochastic (frequency-modulated) screening methods by now. But printers are so used to seeing a predictable halftone dot pattern that nobody really dares to do it.

Sounds like PB is trying to make some money the stupid way.

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06/22, 01:48pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Pitney Bowes Masticates

If PB provided acceptable products and services (they don't, I know of no company that's happy with their stuff), they wouldn't have to reach into their dark corporate bowels (where the lawyers office) and pull up this gold digging attempt at staying viable by sucking cash from other companies.

Needless to say, I have no respect for that company. Apple should laugh in their pitiful corporate face and tell them to try to scare some other company into payolla.

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06/22, 02:22pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
It's NOT the print engin

I don�t think that Apple ever made their own print engines, which would be the offending technology.

Sorry, this isn't right. Apple's FinePrint technology, which is the target of this suit, was on the motherboard of the printer, not in the engine. The Laserwriter II, IIx, IIntx, IIf, and IIg all had the exact same engine. In fact, you could turn any of them into the other by merely swapping the processor boards. But only the IIf and IIg had FinePrint, because it was in the chips on their processor boards.

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Pitney Bowes sues Apple

updated 07:20 pm EDT, Wed June 20, 2001

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lame

timing

Pathetic

dot size

there should be a statue

Lame

From how long ago?

Odd...

That settles it

Yes they can!

Again...

patent

first Pitney Bowes patent

sorry one more

I wonder...

PB Bad, Apple Good?

Bowes Sues Apple

Bowes Sues Apple

Boycott Pitney-Bowels

FinePrint

1983 patent

HP vs Xerox

Rich Rich Rich!!

Apple Laserwriters

Expire

Prior art

not only about variable

Re: LaserWriters

actually, it was 1998/9..

Statue of Limitations?

I'm Suing!

Apple != make print engin

other postal machines

Doffing your Cap

Get Back

Postage

Re: expire

Dots...

Pitney Bowes Masticates

It's NOT the print engin

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