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Apple Sued Over iTunes UI

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the you-gotta-be-kidding dept.

An anonymous reader writes "It apppears that Contois Music Technology is suing Apple Computer over the UI to its iTunes music software. The suit claims patent infringement over a patent owned by Contois."

2 of 502 comments (clear)

  1. Similar... by cobrabyte · · Score: 5, Funny

    I thought (before RTFA) this was going to be another slam-shut case for Apple...

    But I do have to admit that the two referenced images look eerily similar ... they both have a play button and I just won't stand for that kind of blatant idea-stealing.

    -c

  2. Re:LOL! by Chris+Tucker · · Score: 5, Funny

    So daveschroeder sez:

    "Yeah. And it's only been out for, what 4 and a half years now (Jan 2001)?
    Longer, actually.

    Apple bought SoundJam MP from Casady & Greene, and used it as the basis for iTunes. In fact, early version of iTunes have dialog boxes and controls identical to SoundJam, right down to screen placement when they're opened.

    My SoundJam CD has a 1999 copyright date, and the about SoundJam file indicates a 1998 copyright date.

    So poor old Contois, your "patents" have been infringed for far longer than you think, at least for 7 years.

    And what about the software used by the first portible MP3 player, that surely must have infringed some of your patents, and yet, you did nothing about it, it seems, until 2005.

    Indeed, the folks who own and license the rights to USB and FireWire certainly must be liable for SOME damages, what with their reckless aiding and abetting the transfer of bits to and from hard drives and flash RAM in portible MP3 players.

    Such sloth on the part of your legal department surely has earned them all a collective bitchslap!

    I would replace them all instantly! I hear that the SCO legal team will be looking for work soon.

    --
    Guaranteed! This comment 100% Anthrax free!