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THX Sues Apple Over Alleged 'Narrow Profile Speaker' Patent Infringement

Premium1 said:
What comes around, goes around apple.
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Apple had poured so much time energy and money into the iphone, I don't blame them for trying to protect it, even if only for the sake of principle.

Patent trolling companies are a different story.
 
ThomasNuffan said:
it's a trap!!
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This is interesting because THX SPECIFICALLY does not certify built-in TV speakers because they are inadequate (learned shopping for LCDs and soundboards). And THX doesn't manufacture anything, they just license and certify. So I'm sure if THX wants to grant Apple a THX certification (on said "infringing" devices) they might work out something. Apple would pay for something like that.

Also, Apple and Disney really need to get in sync... THX is owned by Lucasfilm, who were just bought by Disney. Disney's biggest shareholder is Mrs. Jobs. You'd think this would work itself out more quickly.
 
Can I fart without infringement any patent?

MacRumors said:
[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]


Bloomberg reports that THX, the sound innovation company that traces its origins to George Lucas and Lucasfilm 30 years ago, has filed suit against Apple in U.S. District Court over alleged infringement of a speaker patent by the iMac, iPhone and iPad product lines.THX is claiming that the infringement has caused it "monetary damage and irreparable harm" and is seeking either an order to stop the alleged infringement and a reasonable royalty or damages to compensate THX for any lost profit.

The sound company alleges that undisclosed iPad and iMac models, as well as the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, are infringing upon the patent. As noted by AppleInsider, the device that most resembles THX's patent is the newly redesigned iMac, which features long channels that allow audio to be projected from the thin bottom edge of the machine.

There is of course still a chance for the two companies to reach a settlement, as the deadline for Apple to meet with THX and its counsel over initial disclosure is May 14, with initial disclosures due on June 7 and the initial case management conference a week later on June 14.

If the two sides do not agree on a settlement, Apple's arguments in court will like hinge on disputing the patent's validity.

Notably, Tom Holman, creator of the original THX standard, joined Apple in mid-2011 to provide "technical direction" on the company's audio efforts.

THX also has a presence on Apple's App Store for iOS devices in the form of THX tune-up, an app released in January that allows users to calibrate televisions and surround sound systems.

Article Link: THX Sues Apple Over Alleged 'Narrow Profile Speaker' Patent Infringement
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This is crazy, Anywhere you go you are infringement something! I heard if you have particular shape of mustaches you have to pay money because you infringement some patent
 
nagromme said:
The link is to Dilger. But in short: he's a biased (to the point of embarrassment) Apple fan and blogger who nonetheless sometimes has useful facts to point out. Better to find those facts from a less biased source, of course! And regardless of his bias, you can still look at his arguments and judge for yourself which ones makes sense. Many do.
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And just why would I ever want to listen to anything some deluded blind Apple fan says? If I was like that I would never use Android devices or Windows devices and would be missing out.
No thanks, but I'll carry on using my own mind rather then what some bised fan tells people.
 
Is there a patent on using magnets in speakers that are of a general round shape, or is that still available? If so, I WANT.
 
selva said:
THX applied for their pipe speaker patent in 2003. Here is the Bose pipe speaker article from 1986. THX has ZERO chance of winning this IMO.

http://tinyurl.com/cr58cx7
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Well, in that case you should notify Apple, THX and the court where the suit was filed in. I guess they all just missed this simple bit, and after reading your opinion, they will all stand down and go home.

Jood job! :D

(just kidding, but... seriously? Wow, there are so many legal and technical experts here in the MR forums. Amazing.)
 
I'm sick an tired of everyone pointing fingers about patent lawsuits. It's the companies involved faults, its the system's fault. The system is broken.
 
MacRumors said:
.....THX is claiming that the infringement has caused it "monetary damage and irreparable harm" and is seeking either an order to stop the alleged infringement and a reasonable royalty or damages to compensate THX for any lost profit.....Article Link: THX Sues Apple Over Alleged 'Narrow Profile Speaker' Patent Infringement
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Peace said:
I fail to see how THX has been harmed and lost money. They don't make components for any AIO or cellphone.
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"Monetary damage" I can understand, but "irreparable harm" sounds like a bit of an exaggeration.

komodrone said:
can someone explain to me why THX waits until several products come out from Apple to file a suit? is it because they'll get more money if they wait? or does filing a suit take that long?
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That's a good question. Are they perhaps not happy about the fact that Holman with all his intimate THX knowledge, joined APPLE as a technical advisor?

ConCat said:
The thing is, there isn't any evidence that they did knowingly infringe on any patents. This is the thing that gets me. If people genuinely come up with the same idea independently, but one patents it first, the other guy could get sued. It makes you a little nervous about inventing anything to be quite honest... There are a seemingly endless pile of patents out there, and any one of them could be enough to sue me.
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I'm also not convinced that they knowingly stole this technology from THX, but if they did, in the end APPLE will (and should) pay.
 
selva said:
THX applied for their pipe speaker patent in 2003. Here is the Bose pipe speaker article from 1986. THX has ZERO chance of winning this IMO.

http://tinyurl.com/cr58cx7
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Had a good chuckle on page 92...

2. RAM disk for the Mac
Click. Click. With the Macintosh on-screen arrow pointed to the MacPaint program icon, I press the mouse button. Less than four seconds later the program was entered and I was ready to work. That kind of speed is awesome.
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141n5 said:
The audience isn't listening
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Is that a play on words? :D



Law suit? Apple's right at home.

It's as though they enjoy litigation more than creating new products. They've found the courtroom a fun place to vent their frustrations. A novel way of conducting business.

One things for certain. Apples legal team has very strong job security.
 
Peace said:
I fail to see how THX has been harmed and lost money. They don't make components for any AIO or cellphone.
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They can license their patent to a computer or cellphone maker and gain money from the transaction.
 
Premium1 said:
What comes around, goes around apple.
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Apple has been granted on a patent that is supposed to applicable to their design. now, it is possible to take an existing patent and modify the design enough to create another design that can be patented.

It'll be interesting if they have Tom Holman called in for his expert testimony.

Either way, we'll see what the outcome one of these days.
 
MuddyPaws1 said:
Kind of like a rectangular phone with rounded corners eh?
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Not sure what that has to do with anything. No one ever sued for a rectangle with rounded corners... unless you're one of those gullible enough to blindly regurgitate Samsung's lawyers and PR dept.
 
This is exactly why I am going to law school for corporate law specializing in patent law.. As time goes on, more and more lawsuits will come to light over patents.. Figure I can't go wrong!
 
In this industry everyone sues eachother. Don't be so naive as to the intent of those businesses. They aren't here for charity. They do exist to make money and we may not like their business practices. That includes legal pursuits.

Premium1 said:
What comes around, goes around apple.
Click to expand...
 
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