Original photo by Matt Buchanan; edited by Techrights

Summary: A look at Apple's latest incursions in the parallel universe of patents

CULT of brand Apple is becoming somewhat of a patents cult, too. Its targets are not only winners like Android but also bankrupt companies, according to the following report which says:

A US judge has refused to let Apple kick Eastman Kodak while it's down by halting the iPad maker's patent infringement litigation against the bankrupt biz.

The fruity firm is freaking out because it's afraid that Kodak will flog its precious patents to sort out its dire finances. Judge Allan Gropper, sitting in a US bankruptcy court in New York, said that the lawsuit, which was pending when Kodak entered Chapter 11 proceedings, had to stay paused as per bankruptcy law, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The judge said that unfreezing the case would be "inappropriate", but added that Apple and Kodak could settle if they wanted to and bring details of the deal to him for approval. He wants the case sorted out quickly and asked both parties to come up with some ideas of how to resolve the fight by 20 March.

We mind what Apple is doing because it also attacks Android/Linux using patents. It reportedly wants $15 for each Android device sold and one response to this says:

Samsung has refused to compromise with Apple in the patent war that Apple started against the leading Android player. The company is engaged in patent dispute with Apple around the globe. Samsung's innovative products pose a threat to Apple's dominance in the smartphone and tablet segment and the Cupertino's iPhone maker resorted to courts and flawed patent system to fight with Samsung.

The Korea Times reports that the head of Samsung's telecommunication division Shin Jong-kyun told the publication that they won't compromise with Apple. According to reports Apple proposed a cross-licensing deal with Samsung to end their patent dispute. Apple reportedly offered a licensing fee between $5 to $15 per unit which includes the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPad.

What entitles Apple to be paid for products it did not make? Poor Apple. Actually, it's not so poor, it's just greedy and arrogant. ⬆



"We've always been shameless about stealing great ideas."

--Steve Jobs