Apple sued over iPhone screen rendering tech
By Nilay Patel 
posted February 14th 2009 6:27AM
posted February 14th 2009 6:27AM
You've probably never heard of Picsel Technologies, but the Scottish company claims that its technologies are in over 250m handsets worldwide from manufacturers like Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Samsung and Sony Ericsson -- and, if a lawsuit it filed today is to be believed, Apple. Picsel says the iPhone infringes on a patented method of accelerated screen updating, and as usual, the answer is probably going to be for Uncle Steve to open his $25 billion piggy bank and dole out some cash. On the other hand, Apple legal might take a little batting practice before they start hunting the big game, but honestly, that's just us wishing for a little Friday night drama.
But Mel Gibson gets hung drawn and quartered at the end of Braveheart.
I've actually heard of them. Their software was included on some Sony Clie I've owned.
I'm surprised that they would turn around and sue everyone though.
Just about everyone else has ponied up for licenses to use the patent.
My nigga biggie said the best
MORE MONEY MORE PROBLEMS..
fo sho do
For all the dudes who only know about that phone from a fruit company, just go ahead and google "Picsel viewer", "Picsel proviewer", or "Picsel browser". Sorry to tell you, but for the few who's used Sony's Palm OS5 Clie handhelds, we've been enjoying smooth scrolling with momentum for 3~4 years before that phone with all the glory was released. Also, Picsel is on most of the highend Japanese phones, and the A-series linux phones Motorola released in Asia. I'm just surprised that Picsel waited this long to sue.
Yet, I hope they come to a reasonable license agreement. If they succeed at suing the fruit company for a ridiculous amount in damages, then there are much more touch screen phone companies and even mp3 player companies that could be Picsel's next target.
Did you not hear the other companies are licensing the technology already?
Just like the visual voice mail patent, Apple is the first to steal and the last to pay out.
Apple won't be the only company to steal something and change it slightly. And they certainly won't be the last.
they're just the ones who steal the most.
Seriously, enough with these Apple lawsuits. Too many jealous companies who have sucky engineers and designers just keep threatening Apple just because they use patents that they claim to have made (but have not). As said, "If you can't innovate, why not just copy and try to render us useless."
I'm no fanboy to anything or any company. It's just getting stupider and stupider by each lawsuit being made to Apple.
You may not be a fanboy, but you sure do sound like a clueless one.
Oh no, Picsel NEVER made any products of their own, No siree. I suggest doing some research before posting unfounded comments next time.
They were miles ahead of the game. Since 1998.
Did anyone look at who the company works for???? Palm is apart of there partners!!! Can someone say back door law suit!!!!
Sounds like Apple finally learned copy/paste.
Right, because no Apple product has ever had copy/paste before. Like, say, the Mac OS. From all the way back in, oh I don't know, 1984.
Are all Apple haters as dumb as you are, or are you just special?
wow. you are not smrt.
I think Picsel have a strong case .
Well it looks like Picsel Technologies might have a case against apple after lots of other companies tried to sue apple with no luck, this time i think it might actually work!!!! FINALLY!! someone has the COJONES (guts) to hit apple with all they got.
Please. I'm not a big Apple fan but seriously, a patent on a fast way to update the screen? Yeah, and I invented the menu.
...and Engadget stripped my sarcasm tags.
I guess they waited long enough for this to be financially benificial to them. I would have done the same thing.
Gah... I really don't like companies patenting such trivial things and then sue all other companies once they "used" their "technology"... If they don't patent so many random things, wouldn't we all have better tech gadgets today? Like that guy who invented the seat belt in Volvo but didn't patent it because he wanted all the cars to be equipped with seat belts?
oh yeah
when i heard about palm vs apple story
i immediately thought of when i first used piscel (one of the best broswers i have ever used at the time) on my win mo samsung touch PDA. The iphone acts exactly the same way as the browsing in Piscel. Apple really should throw alot of money on the table to get away with this. This should be a criminal offense for how much money they have made off a techonlogy that Piscel surely patented, so many years ago (well lets just say pre iphone).