ZapMedia Sues Apple Over iTunes Patent Infringement

[Kalyan]

ZapMedia Sues Apple Over iTunes Patent Infringement

Apple Inc. is facing patent infringement allegations as of Wednesday, after ZapMedia, a U.S.-based company, filed a lawsuit against the Californian consumer electronics and software producer, for allegedly using patented technology to distribute digital media over the Internet through its online iTunes Store. 

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Texas over a patent that was awarded to ZapMedia in 2006, for "media library database server application that manages access [to] a master library of media assets that can be accessed by users via one or more communication networks. A plurality of media devices communicate with the portal to access media assets for use. Each media player device may comprise a processor that executes a database client application that manages media assets licensed for use by a user." (Macworld)

Apple was not available for comments on the patent infringement lawsuit. As it appears, Apple violated not one, but two patents, both filed in 2000 and approved one in 2006, and the second one approved on Tuesday. Apple not only refused to discuss the lawsuit, but it allegedly refused to discuss licensing with ZapMedia too.

The lawsuit targets a company that has managed ever since it launched iTunes to reach $11 billion in sales in just 7 years, and endanger the CD market, as it grew into the No.2 music retailer in the United States. An Apple spokesperson said Apple will not make any comments on the matter as it would go against their policy to discuss pending lawsuits.

ZapMedia is reportedly seeking monetary compensation for Apple's alleged actions to exploit their intellectual property in an unlawful manner. Besides money compensation, ZapMedia is also seeking for permanent injunction against Apple, Macworld also reports.

Source : eFlux