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Creative Has MP3 Player Interface Patent
indie1982 writes "BBC News online is reporting that Creative has been awarded the patent for the interface that many MP3 players use. The patent covers the way files are organised and navigated on a player using a using a hierarchy of menus, a system that Creative's own Nomad jukebox and Apple's iPod range use." Commentary also available at CNet. Reports trend towards an attempt to capitalize on Apple's mistake. From the BBC article: "Creative said the patent applied to its players, as well as some competing products such as the Apple's iPod and iPod mini. The patent covers how files on a music player are organised. Creative was one of the first companies to produce MP3 players but has lost out to Apple which dominates the market. The Creative announcement is the latest salvo in its self-declared war against Apple. "
Under the recent P2P court cases, it was found that companies that provide for P2P are liable for copyright violations, even if that isn't the purpose of the P2P service.
Wouldn't that line of thinking now mean that Creative, which has patented (owns) the method of storing legal and illegal mp3s is liable for allowing people to store illegal mp3s? Again, the P2P cases said the companies intended use didn't matter it was the ability to do illegal activities that did.