Apple sued over Click Wheel touch sensor technology

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Apple sued over Click Wheel touch sensor technology

Quantum Research Group has sued Apple, claiming technology used to make the iPod’s Click Wheel infringes on a touch sensor patent it holds. “We are suing Apple over charge-transfer technology in iPods,” said Quantum CEO Hal Philipp. “Some are based on Cypress’ PSoC chip and used in a way we believe infringes our patent… There are settlement discussions going on but I believe it will go to trial later this year. I am hoping iPhone does not contain Quantum-patented charge-transfer technology.” The legal action against Apple was initiated in December 2005 but has been kept under wraps until now. Apple recently filed an answer “denying all material allegations and asserting numerous affirmative defences.” The company also filed “counterclaims for non-infringement and invalidity” in July.

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Comments

21

so well known in such a short time*

Posted by sue on January 23, 2007 at 5:17 AM (PDT)

22

Just because they’re big and can afford good lawyers shouldn’t automatically give them the right to stomp all over the intellectual property of the small guy.

Interesting exercise - anyone wanna guess/gamble on what Apple’s legal division is spending on all these lawsuits and pending issues about the iPhone/Cisco thing? I wouldn’t mind betting they’re dumping some serious cash into these efforts. It’s all money-well-spent if it enables them to preserve their market position, but still it can’t be good for profits when legal fees eat up so much of your margin.

Posted by Dopial on January 23, 2007 at 7:25 AM (PDT)

23

I guess they are going to have raise prices to pay for their lawyers if this keeps up.

Posted by absentiabanish@hotmail.com on January 23, 2007 at 9:58 AM (PDT)

24

Just Me, you are talking complete nonsense. Grow up and get a Life !!!

(note the capital ‘L’ in life)

Amir

Posted by Amir on January 23, 2007 at 10:45 AM (PDT)

25

I am suing Apple for the use of the word ‘pod’ in the iPod name. There was no such thing as pod before I came along, so I am the intellectual owner of the word.

Best Regards,

Peas

Posted by acidedge76 on January 23, 2007 at 6:08 PM (PDT)

26

Is it just me, or is apple getting sued quite a bit lately? If you look at all of the lawsuits, they’re over all kinds of things that apple has been using in their ipods for a while, the click wheel has been in apple ipod for a long time, definatly long enough to have sued apple a long time ago. It’s probably just because apple is bringing in the cash by bundles right now and everyone wants a piece. These people need to get a grip, if they had a real case then they would have filed the lawsuit a while ago and be finished it by now…

Posted by Ashley on January 24, 2007 at 3:26 PM (PDT)

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