Apple sued in Apple TV wireless audio patent clash
A little-known maker of wireless media players is suing Apple, alleging the Mac maker not only used its technology without permission but poached staff to do so more easily.
EZ4Media this week filed a complaint against Apple in the US District Court of Northern Illinois. It said Apple's Apple TV set-top box, the Airport Express …
Does the "EZFetch" actually exist? Has anybody ever actually seen one. There are lots of reviews and press releases, but I don't see any mechanism for actually buying one.
Who is this company? Oh right patent-troll, patent squatter, looking to make a buck, IP House, etc etc. I bet they never even bothered to try to sell a license. Oh well
Normally I'd consider them to be a patent troll. But if Apple hired people from UE, then came out with a product using this technology UE was working on, it doesn't look so good for Apple.
(OK, it's Ballmer but I thought the horns were appropriate.)
this is where statutes of limitations are needed
#
instead of waiting for years to pop up with a patent shakedown, if a patent holder doesn't come up within 12 months of a product's retail release, then they cannot sue.
I don't like patent poaching and usually support the "little guy" against the mega-corps, but to wait years after products have been sold, praised, advertised, etc...is just plain extortion.
So, let me get this straight. If I stream audio from the Internet (or other sources) over a wireless network using an old laptop then that's OK but if I put the laptop in some kind of box and just run the audio program then I'm violating a patent?
Henry - the Airport Express (which did audio streaming) predates the Apple TV by some time, and I suspect any hires from UE (although no doubt they got their jobs because they had skills on a similar product).
That doesn't predate the patents. On the other hand, I don't think they should have been granted, as there is no clear innovation here (wireless audio extenders have existed for years, as has streaming audio over TCP/IP, as has wireless TCP/IP).
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Apple sued in Apple TV wireless audio patent clash
A little-known maker of wireless media players is suing Apple, alleging the Mac maker not only used its technology without permission but poached staff to do so more easily. EZ4Media this week filed a complaint against Apple in the US District Court of Northern Illinois. It said Apple's Apple TV set-top box, the Airport Express …
This topic is closed for new posts.
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:01 GMT
Marvin the Martian
"apple sued" title: why? #
Is it just to attract The Webster? Or did "Apple, Logitech, Netgear, D-Link, Samsung, Pioneer, Yamaha, D&M Holdings and Denon sued" not fit?
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:01 GMT
David
Sounds like #
Erm a radio?
".. all infringe a quartet of patents it holds that centre on streaming audio over a wireless network."
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:01 GMT
Adrian Challinor
Good luck on the DENON suit #
I have a Denon and its ability not to connect to WiFi is legendary.
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:01 GMT
Neil Hoskins
Another thing... #
Does the "EZFetch" actually exist? Has anybody ever actually seen one. There are lots of reviews and press releases, but I don't see any mechanism for actually buying one.
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:01 GMT
Stefan
Early finish? #
As this seems to be the last article of the day I must assume you are all down the pub getting plastered.
Nice one.
Have one for me chaps. Here's me wishing I could get me coat and join you.
Merry Christmas.
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:01 GMT
Jonny Calcutta
Tumbleweed #
Its quiet round here. Presumably everyone went to the pub at lunchtime and forgot to come back.
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:02 GMT
Anonymous Coward
no comments approved? #
reg christmas party today/this weekend/until new year was it? or has the BOFH finally got rid of al the reg hacks?
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:02 GMT
James O'Brien
Lets see here #
Who is this company? Oh right patent-troll, patent squatter, looking to make a buck, IP House, etc etc. I bet they never even bothered to try to sell a license. Oh well
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:02 GMT
Henry Wertz
Maybe not a patent troll? #
Normally I'd consider them to be a patent troll. But if Apple hired people from UE, then came out with a product using this technology UE was working on, it doesn't look so good for Apple.
(OK, it's Ballmer but I thought the horns were appropriate.)
Posted Saturday 20th December 2008 00:02 GMT
Rick Brasche
this is where statutes of limitations are needed #
instead of waiting for years to pop up with a patent shakedown, if a patent holder doesn't come up within 12 months of a product's retail release, then they cannot sue.
I don't like patent poaching and usually support the "little guy" against the mega-corps, but to wait years after products have been sold, praised, advertised, etc...is just plain extortion.
Posted Monday 22nd December 2008 12:19 GMT
Martin Usher
What kind of patent is this? #
So, let me get this straight. If I stream audio from the Internet (or other sources) over a wireless network using an old laptop then that's OK but if I put the laptop in some kind of box and just run the audio program then I'm violating a patent?
Please, someone, tell me I got it wrong...
Posted Monday 22nd December 2008 12:19 GMT
Anonymous Coward
Airport Express #
Henry - the Airport Express (which did audio streaming) predates the Apple TV by some time, and I suspect any hires from UE (although no doubt they got their jobs because they had skills on a similar product).
That doesn't predate the patents. On the other hand, I don't think they should have been granted, as there is no clear innovation here (wireless audio extenders have existed for years, as has streaming audio over TCP/IP, as has wireless TCP/IP).
This topic is closed for new posts.