Verizon, We're Pulling For Ya

You got to admire Verizon's moxie. AT&T files a lawsuit due to those "there's an app for that" ads, and what does Verizon do? They come back with holiday-themed ads pressing the same point. While it's too early to tell whether the Droid will be a serious contender to the iPhone, one thing is certain: The combination of Verizon touting its coverage, and their introduction of a capable smartphone should worry AT&T. And it should certainly worry AT&T more than Apple. Apple could probably make the Droid disappear overnight if they could bring the iPhone to more major carriers. Of course AT&T's exclusivity is getting in the way, but someday it will be gone.

When both Verizon and AT&T can offer the iPhone, AT&T will have to either compete on price, or enhance their network, both of which are better for everyone.

Psystar? I Hardly Knew Yar!

Yesterday, we learned that illicit (at least in the eyes of Apple, and perhaps the law) Mac clone maker Psystar would be filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This doesn't mean the company is going away quite yet, as the reorganizational filing might be meant to be a strategy for dealing with Apple.

However, we can't help but think the end is near for Psystar. We've never really heard any sales figures, but there's no reason to think the machines were flying off the shelves. Still we'll miss the little "p". We made so many jokes at their expense on TDL Live, and their refusal to send us an evaluation system (we would return, of course) but instead they would offer free shipping if we wanted to purchase a system, will continue to be a thing of legend around here.

There's still plenty yet to unfold from this story, but it felt like it might be a good time to get in our farewells.

Could Psystar Pull This Out?

We've kept a close eye on the Psystar vs. Apple proceedings over the last six months. However, a fairly large development slipped under the radar: The judge has ruled that Psystar can argue Apple abused copyright laws. Sure, there's a big gap between ruling they can bring up copyright abuse, and having them actually prove it, but it's quite a win nonetheless. 

It's hard to imagine that this little company that seems to have curiously deep pockets for this case, could fundamentally change how people use/buy OS X if they are successful. For better or worse, OS X could be found on every flavor of PC under the sun, if Psystar wins.

What do you think? Do they have a chance? Does the argument even make sense?

Psystar Want to Be Like Mike? Apple Files Suit Against Mac Cloning Company

Doesn’t everybody want to be like Mike?  Psystar sure wants to be like Apple.  The Miami-based company has been making unauthorized Mac clones since April.  Psystar began selling the clones based upon their finding’s that they could make and sell the clones for one-quarter to one-half of Apple’s “real deal.”

No matter the money-saving opportunity, Psystar’s actions visibly infringe upon Apple’s copyrights on their products.  Apple’s licensing rules clearly state that any installation of its own operating systems onto third-party hardware is in open violation. Apple also claims that Psystar’s actions harmed the Apple image by misrepresenting Apple products to consumers.  Included in the claims against Psystar were also illegally copying, modifying and redistributing some of Apple’s products.  Further, Apple is seeking an order to have all Apple clone products sold by Psystar, recalled.

While the Psystar partnership claims that Apple has no suit, I would beg to differ.  With copyrighted rules for Apple’s products, Psystar would have to first pay for licensing from Apple to sell the products.  Namely, without Apple signing off or getting a cut on the sold clones, the Mac clones are in violation of Apple’s copyrights. 

Maybe it’s best to leave the Mac-making to the professionals…

Blog based on information from www.informationweek.com

Typhoon Touch Technologies Crashed Down Hard on Apple and Others Regarding Touch Screens

My week would not be complete if there wasn’t an Apple patent lawsuit to report on.  Two weeks ago, Typhoon Touch Technologies added Apple along with Toshiba, Palm, Nokia, LG and other big name tech companies to a lawsuit, filed last year originally against Dell, regarding touch-screen technology.  Apple was added, namely for it’s iPhone and iPod Touch devices which both use the patented technology.  The lawsuit alleges the previously named companies and several others for violating the Typhoon’s 1995 and 1997 patents, which both broadly encompass all technology related to touch-screen devices and uses.  Basically, Typhoon Technologies claims to hold the rights to any use of touch-screen technology, which means that any company currently using this technology without their permission is in violation of the patent.  It may mean that any company currently using or wanting to use this technology will have to ask for permission through licensing and pay royalties for the rights.  Seems like Typhoon could sit back and reel in payday after payday.

            As with many trends that are seen and set through jury trials, the represented public may decide that such a broadly worded patent may not have originally meant to encompass so many different types of products, considering it was developed over a decade ago.  Apple has the iPod touch and the iPhone, but let’s look at Nokia who has the N810 Internet Tablet and Palm’s Treo not to mention other notebooks and smart phones that include the revolutionary technology.  Will this mean that Typhoon Touch Technology has a hold on the entire market for touch devices?  This seems like it may be narrowing the scope on liberties that companies may take to revolutionize and keep up with the ever-changing times.  A jury may decide that to rule in favor of Typhoon would be to give a golden key to the company, and instead they may award in defendants’ favor as it may be in the public’s best interest to narrow in on what was the original patent’s use.  Otherwise, companies may be reluctant to continue to develop devices that use the touch technology if they are discouraged through the royalty payments to Typhoon.  The jury may also decide that Typhoon as originator of the technology holds an all access pass for every other company and therefore may require licensing and payment of royalties for the technology’s use. 

            No matter what the validity of the case, Typhoon’s legal department reports that they could generate steady revenue by having royalties paid from the above-mentioned companies and several others in order to produce the devices that use the touch technology. 

            Typhoon is asking for not only financial damages but an injunction against the products in the stream of commerce and the companies involved must pay a “reasonable royalty” every three months in order to use the technology on said produced devices.

Information on this blog based on an article from www.appleinsider.com