Chinese Company Sues Apple Over Siri 174
judgecorp writes "Shanghai Zhizhen Network Technology is suing Apple in China, claiming Siri infringes its voice technology patent. Zhizhen claims to have 100 million users for its Xiao iRobot software which responds to voice questions and commands. From the article: 'The move came only days after Apple Inc paid $60 million to Proview Technology (Shenzhen) to end a protracted legal dispute over the iPad trademark in China. Zhizhen's patent covers "a type of instant messaging chat robot system", according to the database of the country's State Intellectual Property Office. It was filed on Aug 13, 2004, and got approved on Feb 15, 2006. '"
Re:Huh? (Score:4, Insightful)
but an hour later, they'll just want even more!
seriously, though, this could not have happened to a 'better' company. hope apple has a major headache from this. I'd buy a ticket to the event if one is ever sold.
yes, the more evil you are, the more we cheer as you get burned by the very weapons you use to attack others.
Apple can't have it both ways (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Huh? (Score:5, Insightful)
HEY, LOOK AT THOSE CHINESE BUSINESSES AND LOOK HOW BAD THEY ARE! Meanwhile US companies hire illegal workers, sue everyone and everything, lie to regulators, blackmail anyone trying to prosecute them or investigate them, pay media to outright lie to US citizens, and steal from US citizens.
Until we clean up things at home why is anyone in the US talking about China? Wholly crap man, you do realize that banks are still foreclosing on houses where owners don't even have mortgages right? You do realize that things like Honeywell vs. Nest are still happening right? You do realize that Merck was found falsifying reports and documents to the FDA which caused millions of people to get sick and in some cases die just to make pharmaceutical companies lots of money right? Hell, the DOJ illegally sold guns to Drug cartels in Mexico and nobody even talks about it let alone has been prosecuted or punished.
Don't mistake what I say for saying China is magically better than the US. What I'm saying is that we are so fucked up right now we have no right to bitch about anyone else.
Re:Huh? (Score:3, Insightful)
You could say the same about the US. Just ask Samsung.
Re:Huh? (Score:5, Insightful)
They're like slashdotters: copying to their heart's delight but when their own copyright is abused they cry foul.
Business Model in China (Score:0, Insightful)
1. Steal technology from Western firms, either through direct corporate espionage or as a requirement of doing business in China.
2. Patent said stolen technology.
3. Sue Western companies in China for infringing on the Chinese patent of the Western company's technology.
4. Profit.
The chinese got it figured out.
I could care less... ;) (Score:4, Insightful)
[Nelson] Ha Ha [/Nelson]
Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Slavishly and shamelessly stealing IP Apple? (Score:5, Insightful)