Apple Faces Antitrust, New Patent Case
By Erika Morphy
www.MacNewsWorld.com
Part of the ECT News Network
01/03/07 8:19 AM PT
Tucker v. Apple Computer alleges that Apple is violating antitrust law because content purchased from iTunes can only be played on the Apple-manufactured iPod and no other device. In the PhatRat Technology v. Apple Computer case, PhatRat alleges that the Nike + iPod product offering -- which uses a sensor to connect Nike shoes to the iPod -- infringes on several of its own patents.
As 2007 begins, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) executives might wish they could make a resolution to spend less time in the courtroom. However, like many New Year's resolutions, that is unlikely to occur.
The company has been served with 11 suits in the past six months, according to a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Several of the suits relate to its backdating of options; others, such as Tucker v. Apple Computer and PhatRat Technology v. Apple Computer, deal with antitrust and patent issues, respectively.
