Microsoft and Apple in iPod Patent Scene

Microsoft and Apple in iPod Patent Scene

It might be really interesting to see a situation where Apple might have to pay their prime competitor Microsoft royalty on the device they developed and conquered the digital music world. The United States Patent and Trademark Office have rejected an application for a patent from Apple Computers related to the interface of the iPod. This patent for a “graphical user interface and methods of use thereof in a multimedia player” was rejected in July.

And the reason for this ruling was that Microsoft had applied for a similar patent before Apple did! Apple has for the time being declined to comment on the topic. Microsoft’s patent was related to the system of automatically generating playlists from media collections by “seeding” them with both desirable and undesirable items. And with Microsoft seriously working with hardware developers to release products to beat the Apple iPod in the market, the company just might make use if this patent for their benefit.

The company believes that a digital music player is an integral part of their dream of the digital home strategy. They already have a presence in the Media Center PC segment, which is supposed to act as the central control for a variety of devices. Video and Music players are supposed to complement this media center PC to provide a complete entertainment system to the end user who benefits from the centralized controlling system.

Apple on their part would like to have their other patent application approved, which is related to the scroll wheel manual navigation tool of the Apple iPod. A Microsoft representative said generally on this patent case: “Microsoft and Apple have previously licensed their respective patent portfolios to one another, and we maintain a good working relationship with Apple.” So maybe, Apple might have a problem in the near future…