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Why is there no talk about Apple suing Micro$oft?
- Thread starter thermal
- Start date
zoxxo
Android Enthusiast
I think there are several factors here in play.
Microsoft and Apple are two very large companies with extensive patent portfolios and large legal departments. Both companies have the tendency to acquire technology (buy) if the company is small enough and to negotiate if the company is too big. I'm sure that there is a lot of negotiating going on behind the scenes that we don't see.
Also, Apple is heavily dependent on Microsoft software development on the Mac. Microsoft Office is heavily used in the business world and having a Mac equivalent goes along way to sell computers. If Microsoft were to ever threaten to pull Office for the Mac (they wouldn't, it's a big money maker), then Apple would have to scramble to come up with a replacement.
Finally, you'll notice that Apple seems to be suing hardware manufacturers and not the software developers. I'm not sure what the reasoning for this is, but they never seem to go after Google or Microsoft. Maybe it's easier to go after the hardware guys, or there worried about the big competitors having too deep of pockets...
Microsoft and Apple are two very large companies with extensive patent portfolios and large legal departments. Both companies have the tendency to acquire technology (buy) if the company is small enough and to negotiate if the company is too big. I'm sure that there is a lot of negotiating going on behind the scenes that we don't see.
Also, Apple is heavily dependent on Microsoft software development on the Mac. Microsoft Office is heavily used in the business world and having a Mac equivalent goes along way to sell computers. If Microsoft were to ever threaten to pull Office for the Mac (they wouldn't, it's a big money maker), then Apple would have to scramble to come up with a replacement.
Finally, you'll notice that Apple seems to be suing hardware manufacturers and not the software developers. I'm not sure what the reasoning for this is, but they never seem to go after Google or Microsoft. Maybe it's easier to go after the hardware guys, or there worried about the big competitors having too deep of pockets...
Bob Maxey
Android Expert
And take a look at how much Apple made from just the iPhone. It has made Apple more money than EVERYTHING Microsoft offers. That says something, I suppose.
I think we will see far more lawsuits before the silliness ends. We really need to take a hard look at the patent system. Until something changes, Apple will sue everyone and everyone with mere thought that they can sue Apple, will sue Apple. Google will sue me and perhaps you, before it is over and it will never be over. Perhaps we will have the same Barrister at some point.
Everyone will sue everyone until the end.
I recall a statistic that might be true or not. Apparently, there are more lawyers currently in school than practicing lawyers., They need to eat, so be prepared. I predict we will all meet in one court or another.
Bob Maxey
Android Expert
Apparently, Apple sued Amazon and MS sued Barnes and Noble. They both sued others over eReaders and Apple was sued by some firm in a patent deal with Microsoft and some other company that won some 500 million bucks used that money to sue Apple.
So you sue MS, take the money and use it to sue Apple. If you win, you then start a company which is then sued by Apple because you packaged your products in white boxes. Didn't you know Apple owns the right to white boxes?
Remember when the Beatles sued Apple?
I am waiting for my granny to be sued for her famous Apple Pies. Made with Macs, you know?
Lawsuits abound and the web makes then easy (easier) to discuss, but they are nothing new. I read where the family of the inventor of the machine that perforated postage stamps was recently settled after countless decades. Or some such.
We (Palm) were sued by the Pilot Pen Company over the use of the name, "Pilot." At least Apple has left the Fig Newton Company alone.
There was the famous MacDonalds Hot Coffee suit and Oprah was sued by cattlemen. I think Oprah scared them all to hell.
I am in the mood to sue someone. Will one of you besmirch me publicly? I need new heads and pistons.
Here is a rather complex one to ponder:
The Pop History Dig
So you sue MS, take the money and use it to sue Apple. If you win, you then start a company which is then sued by Apple because you packaged your products in white boxes. Didn't you know Apple owns the right to white boxes?
Remember when the Beatles sued Apple?
I am waiting for my granny to be sued for her famous Apple Pies. Made with Macs, you know?
Lawsuits abound and the web makes then easy (easier) to discuss, but they are nothing new. I read where the family of the inventor of the machine that perforated postage stamps was recently settled after countless decades. Or some such.
We (Palm) were sued by the Pilot Pen Company over the use of the name, "Pilot." At least Apple has left the Fig Newton Company alone.
There was the famous MacDonalds Hot Coffee suit and Oprah was sued by cattlemen. I think Oprah scared them all to hell.
I am in the mood to sue someone. Will one of you besmirch me publicly? I need new heads and pistons.
Here is a rather complex one to ponder:
The Pop History Dig
It was only a couple of years ago when Monster Cable was sueing anyone who dared use the common noun "monster".
"Snow Monsters (a kid's skiing group)
MonsterVintage, small used clothing store
Monsters, Inc., an animated feature film
Monster Garage, a television series
Monsters of the Midway, a nickname of the Chicago Bears football team
Fenway Park's Monster seats
Monster Energy, energy drinks
Monster.com employment website
Monster Mini Golf
Monster Balls Paintballs manufactured by JT Sports
Monster Transmission"
sntaylor
Android Expert
Also it seems that Apple is attempting to patent everything and then they sue to protect their intellectual property. I'm betting that if they could patent the process of chewing food, we would all be in trouble...
only liked that as im at work and sitting eating my lunch...lol
zuben el genub
Extreme Android User
One reason MS and Apple had to get along - business.
Once Office became the standard, business wanted it on all computers. Apple had to adjust or lose out. Not settling a software spat where Apple couldn't win would have been stupid. Office just about killed WordPerfect. There was also the difference in security usage. Apple still has to sell some kind of system that will accommodate specialty windows software. Very expensive specialty software, too.
Once Office became the standard, business wanted it on all computers. Apple had to adjust or lose out. Not settling a software spat where Apple couldn't win would have been stupid. Office just about killed WordPerfect. There was also the difference in security usage. Apple still has to sell some kind of system that will accommodate specialty windows software. Very expensive specialty software, too.
Bob Maxey
Android Expert
Yup. And it is not just Apple or Monster Cable. I think we react to Apple because we only hear about Apple suing. Lots of silly lawsuits being started, fought, won, lost and settled every day.
As for M. Cable, I did not follow those suits. I wonder how many were settled sans a fight and how many people decided M. Cable was nuts and took them on in court?
My guess is M. Cable prefers to avoid the courtroom and prefers "infringers" respond favorably to their C and D letters. There are piles of lawyers that have never been inside a courtroom because they seem to only know how to settle.
I know of a power tool company that had some eBay listing pulled because the poster used the color yellow in their photographs. The tool company laid claim to use of the color yellow.
andnewbie09
Newbie
Everytime I see a post on Facebook with Apple in it, it would be anything about the suing or mocking of the company. I wonder what happened to Apple since Steve Jobs died. Samsung though might have a partner in hand if the another company decided to sue Apple for patent issues. That certain company might be Braun