Apple Fails in Patenting IPod Technology
October 23, 2001, the release date of iPod, might always be remembered and considered as D-Day for Apple. iPod brought real twists and warps in music market. iPod was not based on a new concept. Companies before Apple released hard drive based music players, but none had the charm and elegance in the Apple implementation. Unlike the competitors, the iPod used a high speed FireWire interface to transfer files on and off of it, and it used a tiny hard drive, that made the device a quarter of the size of comparable products. Besides the specifications, the iPod offered an intuitive interface and a beautiful enclosure. Even the ear buds defined themselves by being different and unique. Almost all audio equipment was black, but Apple created a set of ear buds that were glistening white. Everything in the design was there to allow the user to have a better experience.
And on July 13, 2005 another surprise twist arose in the portable music wars, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has denied Apple's application to patent its method of using hierarchical menus to navigate through the iPod's contents. The basis for the denial: A similar method outlined in a Microsoft researcher's patent application, filed after the iPod was introduced but before Apple sought its own patent.
In a ruling issued, a patent examiner rejected Apple's attempt to patent some of the user interface concepts behind the popular digital music player, noting that Microsoft developer John Platt filed for similar claims five months before Apple did.
Microsoft issued an official note on Friday stated that the company is always open to licensing its technology.
"In general, our policy is to allow others to license our patents so they can use our innovative methods in their products," David Kaefer, Microsoft's director of intellectual property licensing, said in a statement. "Microsoft and Apple have previously licensed their respective patent portfolios to one another and we maintain a good working relationship with Apple."
Check the links for more information:
CNet News: Link
Seattlepi: Link
Apple Insider: Link