View this article at: http://dev.macnn.com/articles/05/08/12/microsoft.apple.patent Friday, Aug 12, 2005 3:45pm A different take on the Mir... A patent filed by Microsoft's John Platt, an expert in machine learning, which "relates generally to systems and methodologies that facilitate generation of playlists," has been the cause of much speculation this week because Apple's patent for a rotational user input was recently rejected. Various reports suggest that some component of the iPod interface could be infringing upon Microsoft's patent, and that Apple might be forced to pay royalties to Microsoft on millions of iPods sold. News articles suggested that Microsoft's patent surrounds the iPod clickwheel, however its patent has more to do with the organization and delivery of digital media items, according to a report from Forbes. "In truth, the patents in question might not even be directly related."