According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, patent applications that cover much of the technology associated with the iPod were submitted by Microsoft.

In a ruling issued last month, a patent examiner rejected Apple"s attempt to patent some of the user interface concepts behind the popular digital music player, noting that John Platt, a senior researcher in the Knowledge Tools Group at Microsoft Research, filed for similar claims five months before Apple did.

So far, Microsoft hasn"t been able to dent the Apple iPod dominance, although the software giant has said it is working on music playing devices that it plans to introduce later this year.

as if apple hasn't taken over enough...

*** microsoft. This is just like them.

Doesn't matter. Apple is already producing I-pods so even if microsoft got the patent, they couldn't stop apple. More misinformation bought on my bloggers.

Sure they could, it is called an injunction. Basic principles of patent law callout that so long as Microsoft conceived of the invention first (e.g., before Apple), did not abandon, supress, or conceal it, and patented it, then they own the right to exclude others. Without specific knowledge of conception, the first date of filing is used as a constructive reduction to practice date.

Cheers

MS cannot lay claim to inventing the iPod when their patent application came after the iPod was already introduced.

Just as expected from Microsoft...banking on others innovative ideas. But as Apple came out with the IPod before the patent was issued the court will rule out in favor of Apple.

Well at the risk of going against the grain I like this ruling.

Apple keep their IP very close to thier chests and Microsoft let everyone develop using it.

Microsoft's policy of freedom of innovation is one of the things that has lead the development of technology in the past 10 years. If we were all using Macs we would be miles behind where we are now.

Example: there is no way if it was apple's patent anyone else would be able to use it.

Whats more maybe people like Real Networks will be able to sell music compatible with the iPod. (as it should be, competition is good)

Who f'n cares...

Ipods are trendy pieces of crap anyways.

Get a PsP and be done with it.

Itunes sux.

trust microsoft- so what? who cares?

gay kyle

I suck lollies