My ancestor (and yours too) invented wheels and gears. Pay us.
The patent system is beyond broken.
The patent system is beyond broken.
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THX Sues Apple Over Alleged 'Narrow Profile Speaker' Patent Infringement
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The exact same people who gave Apple a patent for a black or white oblong with rounded corners
And I like how THX used the same argument as Apple's lawyers did against Samsung: "monetary damage and irreparable harm"
And why do people state everyone wants a bite of Apple? erm, no, THX designed something and hold a patent for it and Apple are using it without abiding by patent law and paying for the technologies use. THX are totally obliged to take Apple to court for that. Because Apple would! And you would all be complaining how THX 'stole' from Apple, well this is just another example of how Apple 'steals' from others just as much IMO.
People forget that Apple's iPod was originally a copy of a much better device made by Creative, who Apple paid off in the end. The only thing Apple did better was the software.
I am against all the lawsuits instigated by Apple against Samsung and others, and the only constant is change, SJ was a visionary with his design concepts, but I will give Apple 5 years as the decline in their quality control and share price is already becoming more evident by the day.
Sad alas but true.
Actually that is all the patent is for. Patent no. D670,286. Go look it up.
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We were talking about patents and how broad they can be.
So they have a patent for a speaker that projects sound through a narrow slot... that's a pretty handy patent to have, because no one would think of doing that...
Sure, seems so obvious AFTER it's invented. It's called the hindsight bias in psychology.
For cashed up companies like Apple you'd be surprised at who would be looking for potential patent suits . Like reverse engineering Apple products for the court room.
If you hated Apple suing thinking it was frivolous, you should hate people suing Apple as well for frivolous things.
Of course, unless you are just anti-Apple.
i agree with you to a point......but you are on a Apple website. Kinda like going into the lions den and complaining about lions...... But there are a lot of really objective apple fans on this website. Unlike some others (AI).......
Seems like Apples fixation with everything being wafer thin is gonna cost them big time!
Here's a tip for Apple - we don't care how slim the iMac is when the overall footprint (on the desk) is governed by the size of the stand! As such Apple, you're welcome to make the iMac thicker; and in doing so maybe loose the 'chin' on the front, put the optical drive back (!!!) and move the SD Card Reader slot BACK to the side again (!!!!) You'll also have more room for speakers.
Brilliant ... all that and no knighthood for design. Take note Ives!!!!
Here's a tip for Apple - we don't care how slim the iMac is when the overall footprint (on the desk) is governed by the size of the stand! As such Apple, you're welcome to make the iMac thicker; and in doing so maybe loose the 'chin' on the front, put the optical drive back (!!!) and move the SD Card Reader slot BACK to the side again (!!!!) You'll also have more room for speakers.
Brilliant ... all that and no knighthood for design. Take note Ives!!!!
lol... oh man ... this is creepy
Someone from THX is on the 'wrong side' since he works now at Apple...
Is he against the company he *now* works for ? or would he be for Apple, suing his former company ?
Strange, this came to light just now... I wonder if THX could use this in cort as a "... but you worked for us" type of case..... Maybe the case be settled quicker.
I never knew THX was used in Apple's phones...... But i'm not surprised on new iMac.
Apples always getting into trouble over something now-a-days .... We can't even have a single product release anymore without some suing Apple over something...
This is becoming the 'norn'
Someone from THX is on the 'wrong side' since he works now at Apple...
Is he against the company he *now* works for ? or would he be for Apple, suing his former company ?
Strange, this came to light just now... I wonder if THX could use this in cort as a "... but you worked for us" type of case..... Maybe the case be settled quicker.
I never knew THX was used in Apple's phones...... But i'm not surprised on new iMac.
Apples always getting into trouble over something now-a-days .... We can't even have a single product release anymore without some suing Apple over something...
This is becoming the 'norn'
I'd add a vice-versa to that...
Corporation have no emotions... and neither should we concerning lawsuits...
Ah!
This seems to be all about a former THX staffer joining Apple. If they can't sue the former employee they can sue the company they went to if it appears he gave patented THX information to Apple. Don't THX staffers sign noncompetes?
Plus, the weird thing is THX usually doesn't compete in the consumer space - their deal is big public theaters although some stereo receives/amplifiers sold at Best Buy and other big box stores purport to have THX sound encoding.
But those things use use speakers so how does tiny little speakers infringe? I'd wager this is all about a former staffer who chapped someones hide.
This seems to be all about a former THX staffer joining Apple. If they can't sue the former employee they can sue the company they went to if it appears he gave patented THX information to Apple. Don't THX staffers sign noncompetes?
Plus, the weird thing is THX usually doesn't compete in the consumer space - their deal is big public theaters although some stereo receives/amplifiers sold at Best Buy and other big box stores purport to have THX sound encoding.
But those things use use speakers so how does tiny little speakers infringe? I'd wager this is all about a former staffer who chapped someones hide.
Possibly. Or possibly because this product is most like the innovations outlined in their patent. Part of being awarded a patent is defending that patent.
Most likely there isn't somebody at THX paid to actively look into patent infringements and until the latest iMac they didn't think they had a case. Now that the engineers presented the case to the lawyers they smell blood in the water and have added any possible prior infringement, even if it stretches the truth a bit.
I too am sick of all this hoopla over infringement and patents but at the incredible rate of innovation it is going to be part of the process. Although I am saddened by our switch to first to file patents even though these may decrease the overall litigation.
I don't like litigation, but Apple should invent its own stuff
Technically the inventor was there working on his stuff. I guess he forgot to bring his patents with him.
Everyone uses that language. It's just part of the process.
ALLEGEDLY. For all we know a third party was building the speaker units and licensed the tech with appropriate patent exhaustion so Apple was covered. Or Apple signed a patent deal that covered 'current and future' and THX is out of line asking for more money. Or even that Apple is using a different method than the one in the patent.
Until we have all the facts how about we avoid prejudging this case in either direction.
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Now. But until literally last week the US was using who invented it first based on the notion that a party could invalidate a patent, or at least patent violation complaint, if they could prove that they came up with the idea first but just hadn't yet filed to patent it. Even if the proof was all internal documents. Now the legal protections go to the person who filed first. And only public materials predating that filing can be used to prove 'first invention'. But this change will apparently only affect patents first is year and beyond.
So it is possible that Apple could show that they used their own internal research and came up with the idea in parallel or that it was the obvious progression from what they were doing and invalidate this complaint
They werent common place when the patent was filed.
As for the rest of your comment. It's not just Apple. Every company files patents left and right, every company sues. And if its tech related there's a good shot they use Samsung, LG and Foxconn. By nobody talks about their lawsuits or how their production lines are run. They just talk about Apple because it gets them page hits
Might also have to do with Apple not paying to have any of their products THX certified, which I support btw. Why pay for a label? Make a good product and the consumers will get the specs and determine for themselves if it is quality.
Who said that? I didn't. If Apple infringed on THX patents, they should pay. Just like Samsung should pay for infringing on Apple's patents.
The "rounded rectangles" argument, however, is just stupid.
THX is not a troll but is rapidly becoming a patent zombie.
Patent zombie: well-known company or brand that once produced real products and/or licensable innovations in its field, but has now been sold off as just another patent portfolio to be milked for cash.
Patent troll: entity that has never produced anything but only exists to acquire and milk patents for cash.
Patent zombie: well-known company or brand that once produced real products and/or licensable innovations in its field, but has now been sold off as just another patent portfolio to be milked for cash.
Patent troll: entity that has never produced anything but only exists to acquire and milk patents for cash.
I agree to a point. But I think it was more about the spirit of the lawsuit than the specific fact. I agree that facts should be used. But the point the OP was making (I believe) is that this suit (in his opinion) is akin to Apple (or anyone) suing over silly stuff.
I don't necc agree. I don't like the current patent system - but I do like that patents can be challenged and if deemed invalid - are ruled that way. And if they are deemed valid - upheld.