Back in 2002, Apple filed for a patent on the iPod's rotational wheel to select items, but was denied by the patent office citing a similar patent by none other than... Microsoft!
It would appear that Microsofts patent is more akin to software than the hardware wheel, but it does raise questions as to whether or not Apple will be forced to pay royalties to Microsoft for patent infringement. Wouldn't that be the day...
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Apples iPod patent denied! You'll never guess why...
Thu, 08/11/2005 - 13:22
#1
Apples iPod patent denied! You'll never guess why...
I can't see how they could be denied a patent because of a software patent about "generating playlists from a library of media items." What the heck does that have to do with a scroll wheel? Will be interesting to see what happens on their appeal.
Sony had a jog wheel long before either of them, so push comes to shove, Sony can cite prior art and crush them both.
-BrAp