According to Henry Milan, owner of patent number 6,991,483, Apple is infringing on his patent for a method to connect a Flash memory device to a connection port on another device, such as a computer. This would affect devices such as the iPod Touch and iPod Nano, but Information Week has mentioned that, surprisingly, the iPhone is not mentioned in this report although it could be added. The lawsuit wants to receive damages for the infringement as well as an injunction against the sales of the devices. However, the law firm, Butzel Long, is not sure whether or not they want to pursue the injunction yet.
I’m sure Apple’s lawyers are busy over in Cupertino trying to get this straightened out, and I hope the lawsuit is settled quickly and efficiently for both sides. I find it highly unlikely that the iPods will have to stop being sold, but that’s fairly obvious. What are you thoughts on this patent dispute? Is Mr. Milan on to something here?
Should this not also include flash drives?
Another day, another bogus lawsuit. The "patent with the intent to sue" is easily one of the most bothersome problems with the patent office and the court system. And like MacGoog said, this should also include USB flash drives, the Zune, Creative Zens, Sandisk Sansas and practically every other portable media player. But obviously Apple is the target that offers the biggest profit potential.