In may, we reported on a patent suit against Apple and a bunch of other companies by a company called Sharing Sound. The patent covered “Distribution of Musical Products by a Web Site Vendor Over the Internet”, and the suit targeted t Apple, Sony Ericsson Mobile, Sony, Sony Electronics, Sony Computer, Rhapsody, Napster, Brilliant Digital Entertainment, and Microsoft.
We’ve just been informed that Apple has settled over the suit, for an undisclosed amount.
If you need proof that the patent system is broken, here it is. Someone can patent an incredibly basic and abstract idea, and hold people to ransom over it, thus ensuring the stifling of creativity and lining their own pockets.
Written By 
It’s the American way these days!
I think I might patent the idea of sharing anything with anyone in any way, then I’ll start suing kindergarteners all over the world!