I'm just guessing some phones are ringing in Redmond about this, e.g., in the Zune product group, as Apple won't be the last defendant in this context. The precedent-setting settlement with Apple is probably worth a lot more to Creative than the $100M payment.
In exchange for the payment, Apple will receive a license to use Creative's patent in all Apple products. In addition, the companies said Creative would begin selling accessories for iPod players later this year.
"Creative is very fortunate to have been granted this early patent," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs in a press release. "This settlement resolves all of our differences with Creative, including the five lawsuits currently pending between the companies, and removes the uncertainty and distraction of prolonged litigation."
Source: WSJ.com - Apple Agrees to Pay $100 Million To Creative to Settle iPod Dispute
2 comments:
Creative surely made a lot of money in this settlement plus the additional income they're going to earn from the accessories they are going to provide Apple. Although it was a wise move for Steve Jobs and the guys in Apple to settle this case than to finish it in court.
I am not familiar with the details of the patent but I imagine most portable music players with touch-activated user interfaces are in the patent zone.
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