Lodsys Persists in Targeting iOS Developers
As we noted in our coverage, the whole Lodsys patent mess won’t end until Lodsys allows it to end, despite Apple’s contention that iOS developers are covered by Apple’s license with Lodsys. ZDNet is now reporting that Lodsys has posted additional screeds on its blog, defending its position and offering a bizarre $1,000 payment to targeted developers if Apple turns out to be right. It’s getting really weird, and you have to assume that there will be significant discussion of the situation at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference this week.
Nonsense. The whole Lodsys mess won't end until someone steps up to the plate and has the patents reexamined.
My point is that Lodsys will either have to back down or be forced to back down in some form or fashion; the mere fact that Apple Legal wrote that letter didn't end anything, as evidenced by Lodsys's continued efforts.
It's possible that an examination of the patents will turn up prior art or show that they're not applicable to in-app purchased upgrades, but it seems more likely that Apple will stick with the claim that their license flows through to iOS developers.
I wonder if this is an attempt to extort Apple into buying out Lodsys so the owners can make an enormous profit?
I seriously doubt it since Apple theoretically is already licensed.
Depends - Maybe the current Lodsys owners would prefer mega billions now as opposed to it being spread out over licensing fees.