News
Apple settles iTunes patent lawsuit
Apple has settled a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Vermont-based Contois Music & Technology, which claimed that Apple stole its design for the iTunes interface. The suit was filed in June 2005, and terms of the settlement were not disclosed. “David Contois, who owns Contois Music & Technology in Essex Junction, filed a lawsuit that accused Apple of stealing his patented design for jukebox software,” reports the Burlington Free Press. “Apple denied the allegations and filed a counterclaim seeking reimbursement of its own legal expenses. The settlement ends all legal actions, and the lawsuit was dismissed, according to records at U.S. District Court in Burlington, where the case was filed.”
Next: Sonnet offers USB car charger for iPods
Previous: Reports: Apple to hold special event on September 12th
Shop in the loungeStore for iPod + iPhone Accessories.
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod 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
- Vaja announces two Limited Edition iPhone 3G cases
- Mix: Pandora, Magneat, i.TV, iPhone SDK training
- Scosche rolls out slew of iPod, iPhone accessories
- Sony debuts iPod, iPhone-compatible marine head units
- Marware intros more cases for iPod nano 4G, touch 2G
- Telcel offering contract-free iPhone 3G in Mexico
- iTunes Store coming to Russia in 2009?
- NPD: iPhone 3G lures customers, boosts Apple’s smartphone share
- iPhone Software 2.2 features emoji, Google Street View, more
- Fring becomes first official free VoIP app for iPhone, iPod touch
Recent Reviews
- Apple iPod classic (120GB)
- Apple iPod touch Second-Generation (8GB/16GB/32GB)
- Apple iPod nano Fourth-Generation (4GB/8GB/16GB)
- Apple iPhone 3G (8GB/16GB)
- Numark TTi USB Turntable with Universal Dock
- Jensen JiMS-525i Docking Digital HD Radio System for iPod and iPhone
- Gear4 DUO Versatile Speaker System for iPod
- Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo-i
- myvu Crystal 701 iPod Edition
- JBL On Stage 200ID
1
Why is Apple so quiet on the settlement terms. Contois Music & Technology so quiet? What happened behind those closed doors?
Posted by Talking Madness in Los Angeles on September 1, 2006 at 11:11 AM (PDT)
2
What happened behind those closed doors>
What usually happens when huge corporations steal stuff, get caught, and proceed to buy their way out of it. Just ask Microsoft how this works.
Posted by Chahk on September 1, 2006 at 11:36 AM (PDT)
3
Such hearings in patent cases are considered critical, and Judge William Sessions III issued a ruling July 24 that favored some of Contois’ positions over Apple’s.
Given this, it sounds like Apple simply paid out to make Contois go away.
Posted by flatline response on September 1, 2006 at 12:21 PM (PDT)
4
Chahk-
Microsoft has a lot of experience with payoffs, but it looks like Apple is trying to play catch-up.
Posted by Talking Madness in Los Angeles on September 1, 2006 at 5:46 PM (PDT)
5
So what exactly is everybody’s problem with this? Contois was irked that Apple “maybe” stole their idea and they got paid. They are happy, Apple is happy with not having iTunes disbanded and the consumers do what they do best - consume away. Happy end for everyone. No wonder they keep it quiet. Because what the consumer doesn’t know won’t hurt him
Posted by Just me on September 3, 2006 at 1:48 PM (PDT)