Apple is sued for promoting the iPhone as an ebook reader

daffy4u · 03-24-2009, 11:09 PM

Maybe Amazon and Apple can share their attorneys.

From the Apple Insider via the Amazon Kindle Review:

Quote:

An overseas communications firm is suing Apple for promoting its iPhone handset as a touchscreen digital book reader, a concept it claims to have patented over seven years ago.

In a 7-page complaint filed with a Virginia district court Monday, Berne, Switzerland-based MONEC Holding Ltd accuses the iPhone maker of patent infringement, unfair trade practices, monopolization, and tortious interference for allegedly treading on its January 2002 patent No. 6,335,678 titled "Electronic device, preferably an electronic book."

A self-described "leading innovator for mobile, globally usable communication solutions," MONEC claims to be in the business of "developing and marketing equipment for the transmission of data to mobile electronics communication systems, managing and utilizing patents in this area and awarding licenses."

In its lawsuit, the firm takes issue with Apple's move to distribute digital book reading applications through the App Store, which it subsequently sees as an endorsement by the Cupertino-based company that its touchscreen handset can serve as a capable eBook reader.

As far as I can tell, Apple has not promoted the iPhone or iPod Touch as ebook readers. They just happen have apps that allow one to read ebooks on their devices. Is the Sony 700 next?

FizzyWater · 03-24-2009, 11:33 PM

Actually, I saw a commercial just yesterday for the iPhone that played on the word "read". I can't remember all the apps it used - one was "if you want to read an MRI, there's an app for that".

The last one was, "if you just want to read a book, there's an app for that". I couldn't tell if it was showing the eReader or Kindle app - but given the timing of the recent release of the Kindle, I assumed it was Kindle.

daffy4u · 03-24-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

Actually, I saw a commercial just yesterday for the iPhone that played on the word "read". I can't remember all the apps it used - one was "if you want to read an MRI, there's an app for that".

The last one was, "if you just want to read a book, there's an app for that". I couldn't tell if it was showing the eReader or Kindle app - but given the timing of the recent release of the Kindle, I assumed it was Kindle.

I've seen that spot. They still seem to be in the clear to me because they didn't create any of the reading apps (as far as I know).

rcuadro · 03-25-2009, 12:05 AM

Here we go again!

RobbieClarken · 03-25-2009, 12:24 AM

Sounds like unabashed patent trolling to me. Has MONEC developed even a single product? Judging from their pathetic website, I doubt it.

daffy4u · 03-25-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epiphany

Sounds like unabashed patent trolling to me. Has MONEC developed even a single product? Judging from their pathetic website, I doubt it.

But it says right on their home page (only page):

Quote:

MONEC is an innovative leader in the growth market of mobile communications systems.

Since 2000!

They only have time to "innovate" not "develop".

kevindorsey · 03-25-2009, 02:07 AM

I'm sure Apple has a fat litigation funds, so this is a small banana for them.

pdurrant · 03-25-2009, 04:44 AM

Monec just recently got an out-of-court settlement from HP over the same patent. They are obviously hoping to do the same with Apple - get a settlement that will cost Apple a lot less than contesting the patent.

Patent troll...

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

From the Apple Insider via the Amazon Kindle Review:

tompe · 03-25-2009, 07:00 AM

Unfortunately Apple like to sue people for the same thing or threating with suing. Otherwise we could hope that Apple could spend money to change the patent system to a working system.

Shaggy · 03-25-2009, 10:39 AM

MONEC claims to be in the business of "... managing and utilizing patents in this area and awarding licenses" aka "patent trolling".

Marysart · 03-25-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

MONEC claims to be in the business of "... managing and utilizing patents in this area and awarding licenses" aka "patent trolling".

wow , so you can actually set up a business doing this?

How come?

thibaulthalpern · 03-25-2009, 12:01 PM

Well, what's define as "book" in the digital world? What we're calling digital books here are really just a bunch of files. Any computer can read and display text. Does that constitute "book"? The name "book" in the digital reader realm is a misnomer and a carry over from print book realm where it's clearer what is a book and what isn't.

Robotech_Master · 03-25-2009, 12:05 PM

There's got to be plenty of prior art from this. The Peanut Reader program (whose eReader descendant is now one of those programs that lets people read books on the iPhone) was around for two years before they applied for this patent. Hell, Ben Bova's Cyberbooks novel pre-dates it by several more years. (And if Heinlein can have his waterbed...)

Shaggy · 03-25-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marysart

wow , so you can actually set up a business doing this?

How come?

Because patent laws are screwed up and corporations have enough money to get some courts to let them get away with it (aka Texas).

S.Canton · 03-25-2009, 07:03 PM

There seems to be a lot of litigation going around recently, especially related to ebook technology. Good luck to them is all I can say. I can read books on my computer, is that worth suing over as well?

03-25-2009, 12:01 PM	#12
thibaulthalpern Evangelist Posts: 478 Karma: 451808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California, USA Device: my two eyes, KLiiK, Sony PRS-700	Well, what's define as "book" in the digital world? What we're calling digital books here are really just a bunch of files. Any computer can read and display text. Does that constitute "book"? The name "book" in the digital reader realm is a misnomer and a carry over from print book realm where it's clearer what is a book and what isn't. Last edited by thibaulthalpern; 03-25-2009 at 01:49 PM.

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03-24-2009, 11:33 PM	#2
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	Actually, I saw a commercial just yesterday for the iPhone that played on the word "read". I can't remember all the apps it used - one was "if you want to read an MRI, there's an app for that". The last one was, "if you just want to read a book, there's an app for that". I couldn't tell if it was showing the eReader or Kindle app - but given the timing of the recent release of the Kindle, I assumed it was Kindle.

03-25-2009, 12:05 AM	#4
rcuadro Wizard Posts: 1,686 Karma: 874275 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Device: Kindle DX	Here we go again!

03-25-2009, 12:24 AM	#5
RobbieClarken Addict Posts: 371 Karma: 1002274 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Device: Kindle	Sounds like unabashed patent trolling to me. Has MONEC developed even a single product? Judging from their pathetic website, I doubt it.

03-25-2009, 02:07 AM	#7
kevindorsey Evangelist Posts: 488 Karma: 258 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: kindle	I'm sure Apple has a fat litigation funds, so this is a small banana for them.

03-25-2009, 07:00 AM	#9
tompe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,452 Karma: 7185064 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Linköpng, Sweden Device: Kindle Voyage, Nexus 5, Kindle PW	Unfortunately Apple like to sue people for the same thing or threating with suing. Otherwise we could hope that Apple could spend money to change the patent system to a working system.

03-25-2009, 10:39 AM	#10
Shaggy Wizard Posts: 4,293 Karma: 529619 Join Date: May 2007 Device: iRex iLiad, DR800SG	MONEC claims to be in the business of "... managing and utilizing patents in this area and awarding licenses" aka "patent trolling".

03-25-2009, 12:05 PM	#13
Robotech_Master Fanatic Posts: 514 Karma: 2954711 Join Date: May 2006	There's got to be plenty of prior art from this. The Peanut Reader program (whose eReader descendant is now one of those programs that lets people read books on the iPhone) was around for two years before they applied for this patent. Hell, Ben Bova's Cyberbooks novel pre-dates it by several more years. (And if Heinlein can have his waterbed...)

03-25-2009, 07:03 PM	#15
S.Canton Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kindle 2	There seems to be a lot of litigation going around recently, especially related to ebook technology. Good luck to them is all I can say. I can read books on my computer, is that worth suing over as well?

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