The latest tech news channels have been a buzz with the embarrassing news that Microsoft has beaten Apple to the Patent offce. Apple launched the iPod in November 2001 but Apple failed to file patents until July 2002.
Owing to this mess up, Microsoft, which filed patents in May 2002 is now claiming ownership of some of the technology that powers the iPod revolution. Microsoft is looking to gain USD$10 royalties per iPod since the U.S. Patent Office has ruled that Microsoft has the right to charge their competitors a license fee for each iPod sold. Needless to say, Apple is appealing the decision.