Apple sued by Boston University over semiconductor patent infringement

In what is probably the most interesting patent lawsuit we’ve seen in a while. Boston University is suing Apple over claims that the company is infringing on a patent that the university obtained in 1997 dealing with a method of making thin and compact semiconductors that can produce blue lasers on the cheap.

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Boston University claims that Apple is infringing on the patent with a part that’s used in the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Air, and says that it was patented by computer engineering professor Theodore Moustakas in 1997. The patent, which is called “Highly insulating monocrystalline gallium nitride thin films,” was first filed for way back in 1995.

Boston University said in the complaint that Apple’s “acts of infringement have caused and will continue to cause substantial and irreparable damage to the university.” The only question is whether or not this is simply just patent trolling, or if the university has a legitimate claim. This isn’t the first time that Boston University has brought in the legal dogs over the same patent. They’ve filed the same complaint against Samsung and Amazon over the past year.

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Boston University’s complaint also asks for an injunction to ban Apple from selling the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Air. Of course, though, the likelihood of that actually happening are pretty slim, and if Boston University does end up winning the court battle (which isn’t too farfetched), the court will most likely reward the university monetarily — possibly up to $75 million, which would come from a percentage of Apple’s profits from sales of the three devices listed.

VIA: Boston Herald

SOURCE: BU vs. Apple


Apple sued by Boston University over semiconductor patent infringement is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple brings on the lux: Yves Saint Laurent, Vertu, and the iWatch

This week the former Yves Saint Laurent CEO Paul Deneve has been suggested – then confirmed – to be working with Apple in the near future. This news comes with an assignment of “special projects” and a position reporting directly to Tim Cook, all of this dismissing the initial rumor that Deneve would be working as Senior Vice President of Retail for Apple.

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This news suggests that Deneve might take on a unique role otherwise unmanned at the electronics and software company. Having perviously worked for groups such as Courreges, Nina Ricci, and Lanvin, each of them organizations of some luxury note. Earlier in his career, Deneve also worked for Apple Europe – that was all the way back in 1990 (through 1997) and he held a number of positions on that side of the sea – marketing and sales included.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Paul Deneve to Apple. He’ll be working on special projects as a vice president reporting directly to Tim Cook.” – Apple

According to Vogue UK, Deneve left Yves Saint Laurent at the end of last month, the news being reported on the 2nd of July while it was suggested that Deneve was “leaving to pursue a career in the technology industry.” Sound like the pins are all lining up?

It would be an excellent connection indeed if Apple wanted to create the fabled iWatch, moving past a smartphone industry and into a wearable universe where it’s not quite as simple to make a mark. Especially if the Apple-made bit of technology aims to be the first of its kind.

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The “iWatch” trademark has been applied for in several countries over the past few days, Russia, Taiwan, Mexico, and Turkey amongst them. This doesn’t necessarily guarantee an iWatch inside 2013 as such, but it’s certainly a nod in the wearable direction.

Apple has also recently been tipped to have brought on employees from luxury brand Vertu, the chief of this company suggesting they’d recently been in talks for implementation of Vertu-standard Sapphire Crystal displays, amongst other odd bits and pieces. Though Apple appears to have stepped aside from the front of the iPhone working with said hardware technology, the iPhone 5′s lens glass is, indeed, made of the high-end glass.

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Meanwhile Apple is also rumored to be hitting the mid-range for their smartphones in bulk, bringing on the “budget” iPhone in a variety of ultra-bright colored plastics. Of course this collection of rumors is also unconfirmed by Apple, but would broaden the brands horizons both up and down – imagine that!


Apple brings on the lux: Yves Saint Laurent, Vertu, and the iWatch is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Angry Birds Updated To Include New Levels, Powers, Traveling Pigs

We know there are some of you who absolutely still cannot get enough of Rovio’s Angry Birds. You probably have multiple mobile devices, computers and video game consoles that have a version of Angry Birds ready for you to fling […]

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The Science Behind the Perfect Apple Pie

The Science Behind the Perfect Apple Pie

The New York Times has finally called in the experts to explain why so many apple pies turn out so badly. This great visualization is based on comments from Amy Rowat, a biophysicist at UCLA who teaches a class that covers the delicate science of apple pies.

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Computing UI visionary Douglas Engelbart passes away at age 88

Computing UI visionary Douglas Engelbart, passes away at  88

The computing world lost one of its great minds and true pioneers yesterday. Douglas Engelbart passed away at age 88, just over a half-century after he joined the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) — the place where much of his ground-breaking computing research would take place. Among his (and his research team’s) many inventions made at SRI are the mouse, bitmapped screens, hypertext, networked computers and elements of a modern, windowed GUI. Should you be among those unfamiliar with his work, we’ve included a video of his epic and appropriately named “Mother of All Demos” that he gave in 1968 to introduce many of his computational contributions to the world. Tip of the cap, Mr. Engelbart. You will be missed, but assuredly not forgotten.

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Source: Computer History Museum (Twitter)

Meet North Korea’s Bizarre English-Language Social Media Strike Force

Meet North Korea's Bizarre English-Language Social Media Strike Force

The North Korea YouTube account is the country’s officially recognized, premier means of reaching Western audiences. It’s also utterly insane. But it starts to make a little more sense once you meet the people behind it.

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Xbox One release date set for 2014 in Japan: plans unchanged

Though the country is synonymous with its major influence on the multi-tiered world of gaming and entertainment for a generation, it would seem that Microsoft isn’t quite so keen: the Xbox One wont be coming to the big J until 2014. This announcement comes amid further suggestion that Japan is a “tier 2 country” as far as releases go, with Microsoft Japan President Yasuyuki Higuchi making their position clear with several months between releases.

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The Xbox One will therefor be released in “early 2014″ rather than late 2013 during the holiday season. Microsoft has not commented on supply lines or suggestion that this move has anything to do with any element other than a pre-determined release schedule.

At the moment, the plan is to release the Xbox One in November for North America with greater Europe on tap for November or December, all within 2013. This device will carry with it extremely similar innards dependent on the region it’s being delivered to.

Speaking with 4Gamer this week, Yasuyuki Higuchi made clear the idea that the release schedule was not due to services not being ready in time, suggesting instead that Japan use the short time between releases to solidify their readiness for the unique features available in the new machine. The change-over from Xbox 360 will be an exciting one, suffice to say.

Microsoft’s current plan was in place well before recent announcements of changes to Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions and sharing rules were inflicted then retracted. The same goes for the recent Microsoft changing of the guard with Don Mattrick changing over from president of Interactive Entertainment Business to a completely different company: Zynga.

Stay tuned as release dates become a bit more solid for each of the regions mentioned above, and let us know if you’re all about the system at this point or not!


Xbox One release date set for 2014 in Japan: plans unchanged is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

‘Jobs’ Film’s Official Movie Poster Debuts

Jobs’ official movie poster has just been released along with a new synopsis for the film.

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This Is the Poster for the Ashton Kutcher Steve Jobs Biopic

This Is the Poster for the Ashton Kutcher Steve Jobs Biopic

This psychedelic take on an iconic photo is the official poster for jOBs.

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Walmart Hosts New Contest To Get Your Awesome Product On Their Shelves!

Walmart Presents Get On The Shelf 2013!Do you have a truly innovative product, but need to grab the attention of America’s consumer base? Walmart is ready to give a few talented innovators a leg up on the competition!