The actual patent in question, 5,636,276, is for a “Device for the distribution of music information in digital form.” Sound broad? Of course, as the patent attorneys in the audience will tell you, it’s not the title of the patent that matters, but the claims. So go read through the claims and try not to gag. What’s described is the very generic idea of streaming music.
I’m surprised Spotify was able to last two weeks in the U.S. without being sued.
That will teach them for trying to open their doors in the US.
In addition to my previous comment if this continues and patent trolls continue to sue for seemingly vague and ambiguous patented technologies will this just serve as a warning to companies outside of the US?
Not just outside.
I beliefe Craig Hockenberry was right, there are grim times ahead for innovators.
It used to be so that the US had all the cool stuff, and the rest of the world had to a) wait a long time to get some of it or b) wait forever. Soon it will be the rest of the world enjoying all the cool stuff, and the US being left behind for fear of being sued into oblivion. Nice going …