Apple Computer Inc. will pay $100 million to rival Creative Technology Ltd. to settle five patent lawsuits over technology for navigating through songs on the popular iPod digital music player, the companies said Wednesday.

Here’s what Creative has done. They have patented the process of navigating through categories of songs. That’s it. And Apple admitted that they have “infringed” on those patents, then promptly counter-sued Creative for infringement of their own patents.

I understand that patent-law is very lucrative for companies, and that most patent offices are sorely understaffed. But come on. Who decided to grant a company the exclusive rights to “click an album to see the songs”.

The whole thing brings back post-traumatic stress over the whole “I’ve patented the speed with which the screen can scroll while dragging my mouse.” Guy did it. Microsoft wouldn’t cave in. And that, my friends, is why it moves too fast or too slow. Thank you, corporate lawyers. You’ve done it again.


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