Apple loses iPod patent to Microsoft

I don't know how many people have heard about this.

The article is taken from: http://www.computeractive.co.uk/vnunet/news/2141177/apple-loses-ipod-case-microsoft

Apple loses iPod patent to Microsoft

Redmond has fastest patents in the West Iain Thomson, vnunet.com 16 Aug 2005 Microsoft owns a key patent for music player software that could force Apple to pay it a royalty for every iPod sold. The patents cover the generation of playlists and building of music libraries in portable media players. Apple launched the iPod in November 2001, but only filed a provisional patent application in July 2002 for the menu control software. But Microsoft developer John Platt filed his patent five months earlier and has been awarded the patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Apple is appealing, stressing that the iPod was launched before Platt filed his patent claim. Apple's iPod currently accounts for the majority of all music players sold and the revenue they generated contributed to the company's better than expected results.

Smells a little fishy, like some nasty chick at a bar.

Of course I don't really care. Everyone seems to hate Microsoft. I don't really see why, they're a great company that falls under the US. I could see if you were Iraqi Al Shish-Kebab why you'd hate Microsoft, but why would an American hate Microsoft? Probably just anti-conformists attempting a belief that isn't possible in a world of 6.4 billion . Eh Whatever, to every man his own.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=25492

http://www.geekcoffee.net/archives/2...to_pay_mi.html

To tell the truth, I'm not bothered about this either. I was just posting it because it's interesting.

I absolutely hate the Apple iPods. All my friends have them, and they're always moaning about the battery going, the headphones breaking, the screen doing funny things, the battery going again (I've only used it the once today, and I charged the battery this morning!) etc.

I've got one of the Sony NW-HD1's, and it's fantastic! 28 hours of battery life, even though I've used it virtually non-stop since Christmas (charging it more or less every 3rd day), the headphones are superb and haven't broken, the sound qualtiy is mindblowing, and the screen is perfect. I've even managed to get into the manufacturers menu and stopped the volume block so now I've also got the volume of an iPod. And the software! It's never gone wrong for me. All my iFriends have been complaining about bugs, whereas I stick in a CD, set it going and happily whistle until it's all done.

So, basically, fuck the iPods, get a Sony instead...

I think it's pretty funny how apple lost another important patent (windows 3.1) to Microsoft, they need to be on the patent ball so to speak.

Windows 3.1 was Apples?! What the fuck happened there?!

Windows 3.1 was Apples?! What the fuck happened there?!

Well they designed all the graphics and everything in it... Then I guess a contract broke or something and microsoft stole it all =[

I'm not too sure on the details but I'll go find out and get back to you on it tonight if no one else does.

Jesus Christ...Bill Gates used to work for apple!

http://www.jmusheneaux.com/39c.htm

Watch that video.

----------

Heh heh heh...

"I invented Ctrl + Alt + Del, but Bill made it famous."

http://www.milkandcookies.com/links/28888/

I think that's from the celebrations of IBM's 20th anniversary.

You didn't know that?

Looking at my last post, we can safely say obviously not.

There are quite a few things I don't know.

Looking at my last post, we can safely say obviously not. There are quite a few things I don't know.

YOU FOOL!!!!!!!!11111111ONEELEVEN~

Do you have any England based software companies that we may have never heard of?

Erm...

You've heard of Time and Tiny right?

I'm pretty sure they're based near me actually.

Shame they went bust...

I've never heard of them in my life.

I don't want software that stops for tea breaks.

Never?!

They actually make computers...pretty good computers. Now that they've gone bust, all the computer prices will fall. I can finally get a top of the range computer for a few hundred pounds! w00t!

Ever heard of Granville Technology Group? They took over Time and Tiny...they were the ones who actually went bust and brought down the two with them.

Nope.

I don't want a computer that stops for tea breaks either.

They don't...I don't think. You could probably program it to if you really must. Maybe program it a Tea program (instead of Java), and some kind of crumpet.

Heh heh heh...this could be the newest type of virus! Makes your computer stop for half an hour every afternoon at 3 and have virtual tea and crumpets whilst you watch horror stricken.

They don't...I don't think. You could probably program it to if you really must. Maybe program it a Tea program (instead of Java), and some kind of crumpet. Heh heh heh...this could be the newest type of virus! Makes your computer stop for half an hour every afternoon at 3 and have virtual tea and crumpets whilst you watch horror stricken.

Oh fuck I'm late for class.

Shit like this really chapps my ass... why the fuck are people so gready... let it go, iPod is cool, they didnt steal.

Microsoft trying to call on switches too... fucking losers

okay, so Apple sells 35 million iPods. So that's 350 million dollars that Apple could possibly owe Microsoft. Why does this frustrate me? Bill Gates could shit out 350 million dollars and then burn it. Why is he such a fucking power hungry bastard? I don't see something like this coming down to money, but more to "OMG. We are Microsoft, let's keep those rebel Apple assholes down. How dare they try and make alternatives to windows?!?!?" Fuck Microsoft for that. Sure, I love their products, but FUCK them for being such dicks. They have like 80% of the market for PC's (arbitrary estimate by me). Why can't they back the fuck up off?

Its not Bill Gates doing it... see its a public corperation now. Share holders, and stuff... he has his say, but things like this are out of his power since all the share holders want more $$$