It's not a secret that Creative Technology has been struggling to match the success of the iPod. Instead of making better MP3 players, the company could now simply sue Apple for using its recently patented technology for finding songs. NYT Online
writes:
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Creative Technology, a maker of portable music players, has accused Apple Computer of violating a newly granted software patent covering the way users navigate music selections. [It] said it would consider every option available to defend the patent, including possible legal action. Apple declined to comment on the patent.
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So here is another example of how absurd software patents (covering laughably obvious ideas) threaten to devastate America's computer industry. Pamela Jones, who runs Groklaw said in 2004:
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"Software patents will destroy the industry in the U.S.," wrote Jones on Sunday. "The rest of the world will out-innovate U.S. companies, because they won't be running with the patent ball-and-chain attached to their ankles, holding them back.
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