Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Creative Sues Apple Over iPod Interface, Seeks ITC Injunction
Posted by Jeremy Charette in "NEWS" @ 08:20 AM
"Creative Technology has filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the iPod’s interface is infringing on the company’s “Zen Patent.” Creative also said today that it has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission requesting that the federal agency launch an investigation intro whether Apple has “violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 through its importation and sale after importation into the United States of iPods and iPod Nanos that infringe U.S. Patent 6,928,433, which Creative refers to as the Zen Patent.”"
Well, if you can't beat 'em, sue 'em. I seriously doubt that Creative's cease and desist, and injunction suits will go anywhere, as the iPod has way too much market traction to be pulled from shelves now. My prediction: Apple and Creative settle out of court for damages, ink a deal to "license" the patent to Apple, and within a year Apple comes up with a newer, slicker interface that doesn't use Creative's patent. So Creative gets rich for a little while, then goes back to second fiddle. Meanwhile the Apple freight train just keeps on runnin'.
Well, if you can't beat 'em, sue 'em. I seriously doubt that Creative's cease and desist, and injunction suits will go anywhere, as the iPod has way too much market traction to be pulled from shelves now. My prediction: Apple and Creative settle out of court for damages, ink a deal to "license" the patent to Apple, and within a year Apple comes up with a newer, slicker interface that doesn't use Creative's patent. So Creative gets rich for a little while, then goes back to second fiddle. Meanwhile the Apple freight train just keeps on runnin'.
