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Apple Sued Over iTunes Patent Infringement

March 26, 2009

gavel It has been at least a few days since the last lawsuit had been filed against Apple, causing a little concern that we may not get to utilize our trusty gavel image anytime soon, but we can put those fears to rest today because we have a brand spankin' new suit to inform you about. A lawsuit was filed by Affinity Labs in the United States District Court for the eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division, claiming Apple has violated three of their patents. The first being a patent described as a, "System and Method for Communicating Selected Information to an Electronic Device," which simply names the App Store as an example of the patent infringement. The second claim alleges that Apple infringes on their patent by, "selling digital audio through the iTunes software application on a personal computer and through the iTunes mobile software application on the iPhone and iPod Touch line of products." Finally, the third claim alleges infringement by, " selling digital audio through iTunes to a computer that can then be transferred to an iPod." The odd thing is, AppleInsider claims that Apple was made aware of the oldest of the patents on March 2007, while the two other patents weren't granted until October 2008 and February 2009.  It's hard to comprehend how a patent can be issued years after the product described has already been created by a different company. Affinity Labs is seeking a court order to stop Apple from infringing on its patents and the usual monetary damages. [via Macworld]

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