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If you’re as big as Apple, you’re bound to step on somebody’s toes. It’s happened to the Cupertino firm often for them to have assembled a small army of lawyers, litigation experts, legal analysts, attorneys, and an impressive collection of other legists to navigate their various legal challenges.
The most recent legal challenge comes from Tsera LLC, a little technology firm in Texas. The firm is not just targeting Apple, even though Steve Jobs is the biggest prize in their sights. They have also leveled charges against Microsoft, LG, Cowon, iRiver, Bang & Olufsen, Meizu, Philips and Trekstor, and a handful of other firms.
The charges come with allegations that Apple, Microsoft, LG, and all the rest have violated Tsera’s touchpad patent. In 2003, Tsera obtained a patent for media devices. In the six years since the event, every company that has produced a media player + touchpad of any significance has, according to Tsera, infringed upon their patent. The touchpad patent focused around recognition of swipe movements.
What does Tsera want? Besides the media recognition that is bound to fall upon them, they want royalties. Lots of them, apparently. They are not merely soliciting 20 major tech firms for money. They are also possibly asking for the royalty to apply to every device produced with a touchpad. And every future device produced. Oh, and they also want damage fees. Apple will be the biggest cash cow, since Apple has known about Tsera’s patent for five years.
