News
Apple, others sued over e-commerce patents
Apple, along with a number of other large companies, has been sued in a Texas court by a company claiming that the Apple, iTunes, and App Stores violate its e-commerce patents. Actus, LCC filed a 28-page complaint against Apple, Amazon, eBay, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, and others, claiming that they infringe on its patents—Nos. 7,328,189, 7,249,099, 7,376,621 and 7,177,838—which cover an online payment method. The patents describe a system through which customers first set up an account with their payment details, and then add credits to a store account which can be used to purchase goods and services. It is unclear from the suit exactly which features of the Apple’s Stores are being protested; however, the feature most similar to those described in the patents is iTunes Allowances, which allows parents to set up monthly iTunes Store credits which are distributed to other, mostly younger, family members; gift certificates and similar codes may also be impacted. The complaint alleges that Apple is infringing on Actus’ patents by “marketing, distributing, using, selling, or offering to sell the following products and/or services: Apple Store, iTunes, and iPhone Apps Store.” [via AppleInsider]
Related Stories
- Motorola loses third patent case against Apple in Germany
- Apple airs new Siri-focused iPhone 4S ads
- German court rejects Apple bid to ban Galaxy 10.1N
- Apple asks European standards body to set Frand rules
- Key iPhone, iPod executive left Apple last year
- Apple eyeing Sam’s Club for store-within-a-store locations?
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- iLounge Weekly coming early Monday, giveaway reminder
- iBackFlip launches Somersault case for iPad
- Motorola loses third patent case against Apple in Germany
- Apple rushing to pick demo apps for next iPad launch
- Apple airs new Siri-focused iPhone 4S ads
- Periscope Audio Lab releases SpaceSampler
- Evernote Hello improves contact entry features
- eMailGanizer Pro adds Universal Inbox, Smart Folders
- Scosche rolls out bassDock for iPad
- German court rejects Apple bid to ban Galaxy 10.1N
Recent Reviews
- Cygnett Apollo for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! ID for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! With Stand for iPhone 4/4S
- Solid Line Products RightShift 2 Removable Keyboard Case for iPad 2
- Spigen SGP Kuel F60Q Battery Pack
- Just Mobile Highway + Highway Pro for iPod, iPhone + iPad
- Speck CandyShell and CandyShell Satin for iPhone 4/4S
- Jensen JiPS-310i Docking Speaker for iPod, iPhone & iPad
- FrappeDesign Smart Sleeve for iPad 2
Recent Articles
- iOS Gems: Adventures of Tintin, Reckless Racing 2 + Scramble With Friends
- Ask iLounge 2-3-12
- Making The Case For - And Against - An Apple iTV Television
- Instant Expert: iTunes U for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iBooks 2.0
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: Honorable Mentions
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: iPod, iPhone, iPad + Mac
- iOS Gems: Bug Princess, Dora Hops Into Phonics, It’s A Small World, Sleepy Jack + X Is For X-Ray
- The Complete Guide to Managing iTunes Videos
- Editorial: As CES Grows, Will Microsoft’s Loss Be Apple’s Gain?
1
These patent trolls need to just DIAF. It’s getting ridiculous. Why now? Why not earlier?
Posted by Cameron on June 2, 2009 at 2:36 PM (PDT)
2
Some small company nobody’s heard of against the largest retailers in the world. Good luck with that. They will pay more in legal fees than the plaintiffs company is worth.
Posted by Greg on June 2, 2009 at 4:26 PM (PDT)
3
HOLLYYYYY SITZZZNECCCKKKK! ... What is going on here? lol,.... Is it still allowed to breath or turn on the water? ....
Posted by dennis on June 2, 2009 at 7:22 PM (PDT)
4
#3 - Unfortunately not. My friend is a patent lawyer, and apparently in 2001, Actus also filed, and was granted, a patent (no. 7.323.523). It describes a method by which air is drawn into a holding apparatus through suction, held until the oxygen is processed, and then expelled as carbon dioxide. They are claiming that patent has been breached by Apple employees (and anyone else with lungs) and a suit has been filed. None of the Actus employees or friends and family have been given the cease and desist order. After more research, my friend found that inhaling without exhaling does not breach the patent.
Posted by Warren Piece on June 3, 2009 at 7:35 AM (PDT)