Creative Zen Micro

In the ongoing legal dispute between digital media player rivals, Apple filed a U.S. lawsuit this week against Creative for patent infringement.

The suit was filed in a Wisconsin District Court by Apple Computer, which claims Creative has infringed upon four patents for its user-interface on its handheld media players.

It was filed in response to Creative's suit and trade complaint on the same day, May 15.

Creative took its legal battle to court filing a suit against Apple, seeking an injunction and increased damages for Apple's willful infringement of Creative's Zen Patent for Apple's iPod products.

Additionally, Creative is also seeking a U.S. International Trade Commission injunction, requesting an investigation whether Apple had violated the Tariff Act of 1930 through importation and sale of iPod products, which they allege infringes on their Zen Patent. The order also seeks that Apple cease sales, marketing, importation or sale after importation in the United States on the infringement products.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International