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.”
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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 10:11 AM (PST)
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 10:36 AM (PST)
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 11:21 AM (PST)
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 4:46 PM (PST)
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 12:48 PM (PST)