iPhones And Blackberries Could be Barred From Being Shipped
Posted: Thursday, February 18, 2010
by Asher Ricard
With all this new technology being released, it seems to be an open invitation for companies to complain of stolen technologies. I might say, sometimes the lines are crossed on what is open to use and what isn't.
So was the case recently when Microsoft was barred from no longer selling Microsoft Word after adding the XML functionality without permission from the company who created the language.
Now Kodak is feeling wronged and it has caused the International Trade Commission or ITC to investigate Apple and Research In Motion, makers of the iPhone and Blackberry.
Kodak alleges the iPhone and Blackberry use technology for previewing pictures that infringe on Kodak patents. They are asking that both firms are barred from shipping the phones.
I can't imagine the two most popular phones put in a stand still. I am one of those people that always made fun of people who actually "paid" for phones. We always said in our family that the free phone offer was always enough.
Then I got an iPhone. I can not imagine life without it. I know saying that I feel like less of a human being, but the phone has honestly revolutionized my life.
Is it the end of the world if they are barred? No, they have the top engineers who can quickly create something that may even be better. But what happened?
Is technology such to the point now where there are no new inventions? Should Kodak be paid for coming up with it first if it is their idea? With all of the explosion in this industry, how can it be regulated?
Kodak says they tried dealing with both firms "for years" but the issue was never addressed. I can see their side if they are the rightful owners of the technology. No one likes to see their work used by someone else for profit and not get retribution in return.
Will this hurt Apple or RIM. Honestly, I don't think it will. Image-wise, it is not enough to force people to ever give up their smartphones. We all know we can't live without them.
Financially, it may put a dent unless they have to pay Kodak for back sales. However, I think at some point you have to wonder if it is a waste of time and resources.
I am curious to see how this plays out and the results. It seems Apple is always in some kind of patent lawsuit. At least their lawyers are making a killing!
This Article has been viewed 562 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.