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View Full Version : Apple Faces Patent Suit Filed By ZapMedia Over iTunes, iPod



Teh Don Ditty
Mar 12, 2008, 03:08 PM
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
March 12, 2008 2:51 p.m.

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Apple Inc. (AAPL) faces a patent infringement lawsuit filed by privately held ZapMedia Services Inc. related to Apple's iTunes software and iPod media player.

ZapMedia alleges patents for its system allowing the distribution of media assets to user devices were infringed when Apple unveiled its iPod MP3 player with the integrated iTunes software application in October of 2001 and iTunes store in April 2003.

According to ZapMedia, the lawsuit comes after multiple attempts by the company to resolve concerns of patent infringement with Apple.
In addition, ZapMedia claims it made Apple aware of the patents and their availability for license, and is entitled to a "reasonable royalty" on Apple's revenue related to the infringement.

An Apple representative said it is company policy not to comment on litigation.

-Nicholas Hatcher; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5400

Check this out.


Much Ado
Mar 12, 2008, 03:12 PM
Everyone wants a slice.
philbeeney
Mar 12, 2008, 04:54 PM
So it's taken them five years to decide to sue. Is there not a time limit.?
Bosunsfate
Mar 12, 2008, 09:36 PM
Did a google patent search.

Only found two hits and both seem off. How can they have issued patents on these?
MrSmith
Mar 12, 2008, 10:25 PM
What's that noise of drums and wheel rim on cobble? Oh, it's the scheduled bandwagon. :cool:
Counterfit
Mar 13, 2008, 05:33 AM
Hmmm... (http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/1999_zapmedia_patent_of_interest_to_apple/)
Bosunsfate
Mar 13, 2008, 11:36 AM
Hmmm... (http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/1999_zapmedia_patent_of_interest_to_apple/)

Good article Counterfit. It really strikes me how vague the patent actually is. Yet, how close to looks to model what the iTunes platform has become.

We'll see what happens, but I would have to imagine the Apple lawyers are trying to figure out how solid the legal challenge can and will be.

I do believe that it does show how patents have just gone awry.
question fear
Mar 13, 2008, 02:20 PM
At this point it's "Tuesday-Powerbook G5" and "Wednesday-Another Baseless Patent Lawsuit!" Now we just have 5 more days to fill!