Microsoft Sued Over Zune “Buy from FM” Service
Microsoft Sued Over Zune “Buy from FM” Service
Posted 03/28/2010 at 8:16pm
| by Justin Kerr
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Microsoft is no stranger to lawsuits, but the most recent case to cross the legal desk in Redmond has me wondering if they even bother to check their mail anymore. A new patent infringement case has been filed in a Wisconsin U.S. District Court which alleges that the Zune's "Buy from FM" service violates IP owned by Dr Edward Yavitz. The good doctor claims that even though he contacted Microsoft several times regarding the infringement, his plea's for a peaceful resolution landed of def ears. "I got no reply whatsoever" Yavitz told InternetNews.com.
Patent trolling is considered somewhat of a nuisance in the tech industry, but you have to feel for the guy when you consider that he filed the patent in question years before there was even an iPod. "They are definitely taking notice of it now" Yavitz said. It's likely that Microsoft's change in heart has something to do with Windows Phone 7 Series, which is more Zune than Windows Mobile. Assuming that Dr Yavitz has a case here, this lawsuit could get mighty expensive if Microsoft's new mobile platform actually takes off.
Microsoft officials declined to comment on the suit, or its merits, but when is that ever not the case?
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Ntldr
March 29, 2010 at 7:46am
Why is he not targetting Apple as well. I read his patent and technically any MP3 Player or Phone like the Zune has the same functions he spoke of in the patent. He thinks that MS is an easy target because they always get lawsuits. What a moron.
Caboose
March 29, 2010 at 10:13am
I agree, Apple needs to be naimed too!
And The Guild is a freaking awesome series (image)
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
habuza
March 29, 2010 at 7:32am
I'd have to agree..if one comes up with the idea behind a patent yet does nothing to produce the technology outlined in the patent, and just waits for someone else to do so then springs the " hey wait! That's my idea!" excuse, they need to be flogged with a wet towel.
wolf17
March 28, 2010 at 8:55pm
Okay, so Yavitz has had the patent since before their was an ipod, yet he still has not produced any technology based on this patent? If he hasn't invented anything yet, then... wow, I'll go stand in Microsoft's corner and laugh at the patent troll now :P
"Life is about living, not stressing" - a very smart girl :)
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