Something for IPod users to think about - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

tjinaz · 06-12-2006, 08:57 AM

They may get more expensive or have to change the look real soon. Apple "borrowed" against Creative labs patent to create them and will now have to pay.

http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/08...call/index.php

I-Hate-Hulse · 06-12-2006, 09:13 AM

That article is almost a year old, it's still a bit of a legal snafu right now with countersuits flying back and forth.

Quote:

The interface that Creative has patented covers the display of music on a digital music player using hierarchical menus that sort content using metadata tags.

Pretty lame by Creative IMHO. That's like Easton patenting a new stick because it can be used on the forehand AND the backhand. Pretty obvious use of technology.

Apple has way more legal muscle and resources to take on Creative... but then again NTP sure made life difficult for RIM.

nfotiu · 06-12-2006, 09:14 AM

So, Creative Labs filed for a patent for something that Apple was already using at the time, and got it? US patent law is ridiculous.

Frank the Tank · 06-12-2006, 09:16 AM

As soon as something is popular enough, the law suits pile up. Apple will win, just like they won against the Beatles recording studio. Ridiculous.

oldschoolcalgary · 06-12-2006, 09:26 AM

there's an unfortunate new scam that's developed called "patent sitting"...where companies will patent ideas - even fairly vague ones - but never try to develop them...the idea is to simply wait until some does develop similar ideas and then sue them...

i think, correct me if i am wrong, this is what happened to RIM...

its the new cyber-squatting....

Bobblehead · 06-12-2006, 09:37 AM

And the same day Apple fired back. Apple sues iPod rival over patents

And just in case Creative didn't get the message:Report: Apple countersues Creative again

Creative is known for being litigious. The sued id Software right before Doom 3 was released for a shadow calculation that was being used. In the settlement, they let ID is the method as long as they included in Doom3 the drivers for patented audio extensions that were only used in Creative soundcard.

In this case, Creative may have bit off more than they can chew...

Bobblehead · 06-12-2006, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

there's an unfortunate new scam that's developed called "patent sitting"...where companies will patent ideas - even fairly vague ones - but never try to develop them...the idea is to simply wait until some does develop similar ideas and then sue them...

i think, correct me if i am wrong, this is what happened to RIM...

its the new cyber-squatting....

There are a number of legal firms in the US that buy up failing software companies to get the patents. They then fold the actual software portion and earn all their money from licensing fees and lawsuits. Software patents are bad, especially in the case where the US Patent Office is swamped and can't give a full investigation.

tjinaz · 06-12-2006, 10:09 AM

http://www.macnn.com/articles/06/05/...ve.sues.apple/

With the patent being granted to Creative it pretty much leaves apple in a very vulnerable position. This will take time but will cost Apple. Funny they do the very things they bag on Microsoft for doing.

Quote:

As relief, Creative is seeking an exclusion order and cease and desist order against Apple to prohibit Apple from engaging in sales, marketing, importation or sale after importation into the United States, or other infringing activities in the United States with regard to the infringing iPod and iPod Nano products.

This will take time for the legal wrangling but without a patent granted to it Apple will have serious problems.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1226

Funny the RIM case was brought up. Creative is likely looking for a similar settlement.

Barnes · 06-12-2006, 12:10 PM

Creative had an opportunity to get on board with Apple from the begining. The first versions of iTunes supported Creative's players. Apple approached Creative to do something together and they sat on it so Apple released the iPod.

Instead of innovating and competing with Apple, they shipped mediocore products and jukebox software with viruses. They are running the company into the ground by showing little to no initiative to regain the market that they created.

Calgary Flames · 06-12-2006, 01:48 PM

That's because Creative is a cheap ass company that will eventually go out of business.