Apple Mistake Gives Microsoft Millions

mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
edited August 2005 in Science & Tech
Apple did not submit a full application until 11 months after the iPod was released. Microsoft was able to submit an application to patent some key elements of music players, including song menu software before before Apple. Apple's patent application was rejected in July because it was too similar to Microsoft's patent.
Although Apple introduced the iPod in November 2001, it did not file a provisional patent application until July 2002, and a full application was filed only in October that year.

In the meantime, Microsoft submitted an application in May 2002 to patent some key elements of music players, including song menu software.

Apple has signalled it will resist the move. The company could take the case to the patent office's appeals board.
With up to $10 a machine it looks like Apply really missed out on this one.

Source: The Independent

Comments

  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited August 2005
    Normally I would find this amusing, but when you consider the fact that it just means "our lawyers are better than your lawyers" I can manage to control my glee.

    The end user is still going to be paying the royalties to somebody for what is a very basic tool which almost anyone could have devised. :rolleyes:
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    but microsoft has to own it or else they wouldnt be making too much money, what are you thinking...even if i had a patent before either of them i gaurante you they would have got a rich laywer to fight it and somehow bend the rules and make it their patent. i dont think either of them should get a patent...maybe it should be so general that you cant patent it. like a generic keyboard??? can you patent a keyboard... they are just about all the same
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