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[KingSparta]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4985410.stm

Apple rival 'tries to ban iPods' 
 
Creative has been struggling to keep up with market leader Apple
Digital music player maker Creative Technology has asked a US court to ban Apple from selling or marketing its iconic iPods in the US.
Creative claims that the navigational menu used for finding and playing music on the iPod, violates its patent for its own Zen MP3 player.

It applied for the patent in 2001 which was granted in August 2005.

Since then it has been threatening legal action. The complaint was lodged at the San Francisco district court.

Import laws breach?

Last year Creative boss Sim Wong Hoo told the BBC he planned to "pursue aggressively" the US patent.

Through the court it is seeking an injunction and increased damages for what it says is a "wilful infringement of the Zen patent".

Creative said it had also filed a complaint to the US International Trade Commission, asking it to investigate whether Apple had breached import laws by selling iPods and the iPod Nano.

 
Apple's iPod continues to be fantastically popular

It claimed it had met with Apple CEO Steve Jobs and other representatives in 2001 to discuss ways the two companies to work together but had rejected Apple's proposals.

Nobody from Apple would comment on the legal action.

Market share

Creative has struggled against the market dominance of the iPod and earlier this month plunged into the red.

It blamed its $114m (Ģ62m) losses for the three months to March on the plunge in MP3 player prices and its need to get rid of stock.

But it pledged to return to profit in the second half of 2006, saying it was renewing its focus on high-margin products, such as computer sound cards.

Apple launched the iPod in 2001 and now has 72% of the US portable MP3 player market while Creative has less than 10%, according to research group NPD.
 

[KingSparta]

in other neews today

Microsoft and MTV take on Apple iTunes

Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday will release a beta version of Windows Media Player 11, a more stylish version of its media software that mimics the sleekness of its main competitor, Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes.

The media player will be launched in conjunction with an online music store from MTV Networks that has been integrated with Microsoft's media software, allowing users to search and download songs and albums. The partnership, announced in January, unites two industry giants -- Microsoft and MTV -- against Apple's market-leading iPod media players and iTunes music store.

More At..

http://www.itworld.com/Tech/5051/060516msmtv/

[JimH]

I like Creative.  They make solid products.  And they talk to us.

[LonWar]

I like creative as well... But I can go anywere in Canada and get stuff for the Ipod.
I wanted a Zen 60gb, I could special order the unit, but couldn't get the accessories.

Currently, I think Creative needs to bring out a better player at a better price. I don't see them being able to do that.

[ferent]

I like creative as well, I bought one zen touch 40 GB http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=10274 because the batery lasts 24 hours, and the Ipod only 10. Maybe it hasnīt special effects, but itīs perfect for me,

[GHammer]

People seem to miss IRiver

Well, except for MS, they have hooked up with them.

[hit_ny]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4985410.stm
Creative claims that the navigational menu used for finding and playing music on the iPod, violates its patent for its own Zen MP3 player.

Creative being in the red, that's when the lawsuits start flying. I really hope this gets thrown out. Sounds like the look & feel wars between Apple & M$ in the 90s. That dragged on for yrs with an undisclosed settlement in Apple's favour in the end.

There is any amount of overlap in terms of design here between various contenders for the media library space. This is a good thing, it makes players compete with each other and improve. I think there is still loads that could be done to improve MC.

If ppl start getting patents on silly things like panes  ..cos thats what a navigational system sounds like.

[glynor]

I like Creative.  They make solid products.  And they talk to us.

They make solid hardware products, but their software (while vastly improved recently for their sound cards at least) still needs a LOT of work.  They just need to commit to real driver improvements, similar to what ATI did with their Catalyst program.