Apple Computer and Creative Technology are the latest to be embroiled in patent court, with lawsuits being filed by both sides.
This lawsuit crap is getting out of hand. Creative even had a head start of several years with their devices. They got their ass tanned fair and square in a free market, and this just seems to be just so much bitter grapes. I recognize they may have a point, I argued for the “little guy” in the RIM suit myself. However, I also recognize that Creative stands to gain a lot from this, far more than it deserves.
First Creative sued Apple:
Creative Technology has filed a patent infringement suit against Apple Computer, asking a federal judge to halt sales of the iPod within the United States.
Citing a patent it received in August for the user interface in its Zen MP3 player, the suit filed Monday asks the U.S. District Court in San Francisco for an injunction and damages. The legal action came months after Creative executives voiced concern about the issue.
Then Apple sued Creative back:
In its complaint, Apple accuses the company of infringing on four of its patents related to user interfaces and icon displays for digital media players. The company is requesting monetary damages and an injunction barring continued use of its patents
The iPod has a unique interface in its touch wheel, and that was one of the primary factors in its acceptance, not the way its menus were arranged. (Not to mention iTunes, etc.) Creative is being a poor loser in bringing this lawsuit, IMNSHO. Sadly, that seems to be the new American business plan B: sue the guy who wins.
More links:
The “Zen Patent”: Creative sues Apple over media player interface
Creative sues Apple over media players
Apple now sues Creative
Apple sues iPod rival over patents
Did Creative really patent organising music by metadata? That is so unique. I bet nobody ever had the Idea of sorting their record collection by Artist name, or year, or genre. Or putting the LP’s side-by-side to browse them faster.
Hey John,
How about the Burst.com vs. Apple case. This one looks like it will be fun also. Burst tanned MSFT’s ass, Apple is next.
From my point of view, working for a company that files many patent claims a year, the IT industry is becoming a litigator’s dream.
Patents take so long to process, and allow for so much over lap, that it is almost impossible to lock in a truly unique idea.
Take Apple’s forthcoming touchscreen technology in its next generation iPods: You think there isn’t a company somewhere waiting for Apple to release these gadgets so they can sue based on some fifteen year old touchscreen patent?
It’s getting out of control.