![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/\nwheelll.jpg\")
AUG. 16 2:20 P.M. ET Given the intense rivalry between
\n Apple Computer Inc. and Microsoft Corp., this recent revelation had a
\n comedic tinge: Apple took too long to file a patent on part of its blockbuster
\n iPod music players, so Microsoft beat Apple to it.<\/p>\n
Bloggers and other tech pundits snickered at the prospect of Steve Jobs
\n having to pay Bill Gates royalties on the beloved iPods, which account
\n for more than one-third of Apple’s revenue. One Web columnist even dubbed
\n the patent office the "iPod killer."<\/p>\n
To be sure, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office last month did reject
\n a request that Apple filed in October 2002 to patent technologies that
\n support the iPod’s rotational wheel interface. The reason for the rejection:
\n Microsoft had apparently outraced Apple to the patent office with a similar
\n request by five months.<\/p>\n
from Business Week<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AUG. 16 2:20 P.M. ET Given the intense rivalry between Apple Computer Inc. and Microsoft Corp., this recent revelation had a comedic tinge: Apple took too long to file a patent on part of its blockbuster iPod music players, so … Continue reading