Hong Kong-based Pat-rights has contacted Apple, according to a
posting on its web site, to discuss the alleged breach of its US
patent number 6,665,797, which covers the provision of "identity
information of the rightful user thereof for accessing a network
central computer to obtain service(s) or software product(s) or
alike".
Apple's digital rights management system, known as Fairplay, is
in breach of this patent, says Pat-rights. The firm is demanding
12% of profits earned by the computer giant from its iTunes and
iPod sales and is thought to have given the company until 21st
March to respond.
The second suit, which has already been filed in a US federal
court, charges Apple with breaching US patent rights owned by
Chicago-based Advanced Audio Devices. The patent – number 6,587,403
– was granted in July 2003 and relates to "a music jukebox which is
configured for storing a music library therein".
According to reports Advanced Audio Devices tried to negotiate
with Apple about the patent prior to filing, but without
success.
Apple has made no comment on either suit as yet.
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