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SanDisk forced to yank MP3 players from show
Listen to this: SanDisk reps flew all the way to the annual IFA consumer-electronics trade show in Berlin to show off their new MP3 players, only to have prosecutors show up and tell them the gadgets were verboten. Digital-Lifestyles reports that Sisvel, an Italian company, persuaded a local court that SanDisk may have violated its patents on audio-playing technology. SanDisk disputes Sisvel's claim, but before the MP3 players can be put on display in Germany, the two companies will have to fight it out in court.

Engadget notes that Sisvel has already gotten some 600 companies to license its patent, including big MP3-player names like Apple, Archos, and Creative Technology. Techdirt says that just shows the importance of fighting bogus patents rather than just settling: "Having other companies license the patents makes people believe that they must be valid, even if they are not."
Posted by Owen Thomas 11:23 AM 0 Comments comment | Add a Comment

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