Google, Napster, Apple Sued Over Patent

Web giants, Google, Apple and Napster are being sued collectively, for infringing on a 2005 patent which covers commercial distribution of audio and video over the Internet.

According to the patent, The Intertainer, a digital download firm founded in 1996, has developed the technology to distribute movies on demand through cable and phone lines for viewing on televisions and personal computers, which means Google, Apple and Napster have violated the patent. The firm shut down five years ago, but it reportedly had investors such as Intel, Microsoft, Sony, NBC and Comcast.

Despite being initially backed by Microsoft and Intel, Taplin clarified that the two companies were not involved in the decision to sue Apple, Google and Napster. He said that decision was made by Intertainer's board and that none of his original corporate backers have board seats.

Jonathan T. Taplin, one of the founders of Intertainer, said that their firm was the leader of the idea of entertainment on demand over Internet platforms, even before Google was even thought up. Intertainer’s legal representative confirmed that company filed suit against the three web giants but declined to specify the damages seeked. Apple, Google and Napster have declined to comment on the lawsuit.

However, industry analysts say that this patent may be difficult for Intertainer to enforce, because it was filed as recently as 2001.

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