Gates may make money from iPods.

Get this:

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article305638.ece

Could you imagine?

In the end I would be surprised. Since Apple was already selling the iPod before Microsoft even filed the patent application I don't think anything will come of it. The true battle will be who actually has notes talking about it first. If Apple can demonstrate they had the ideas first then it will invalidate Microsoft's claim.

Only time will tell.

Forbes has an analysis of the problem, including an interview with the director of intellectual property at MS: http://www.forbes.com/digitalentert...ent-cx_ld_0812microsoft.html?partner=yahootix. It appears that there is no overlap. The whole issue could be nothing more than Apple-bashing by parts of the media.

David Kaefer, Microsoft's director of intellectual property licensing and business development, said: "In general, our policy is to allow others to license our patents so they can use our innovative methods in their products."

Click to expand...

BA-HAHAHA

It appears Apple can easily demonstrate 'Prior use', I doubt they will ever have to license anything