MP3 player makers Creative Technology yesterday told reporters that the US International Trade Commission had launched an investigation into whether Apple's iPod infringes their patent.
The ITC investigation follows that previously reported complaint made by Creative regarding the patent it was awarded last year governing the interface used to navigate music stored on an MP3 player - a patent it applied for sometime before Apple tried to patent the same thing. In addition to instigating civil legal proceedings against Apple regarding those allegations, Creative asked the ITC to stop their rivals from importing iPods into the US based on federal laws that ban the import of goods that violate American patents. Apple 'import' their iPods because the players are actually put together in China.
Creative say the case will be referred to Administrative Law Judge Paul Luckern, who will hold hearings in order to make a ruling on the patent violation allegations. Such investigations and hearings normally take over a year to reach a conclusion.
Apple, who have launched several countersuits against Creative in the patent dispute (seven so far, if I'm counting correctly) are yet to comment on the ITC investigation. They have, however, commented this week on newspaper reports that the Chinese factories where the iPods are completed operate using slave like conditions. Apple says it is investigating reports in the Mail On Sunday that workers at their suppliers' factories receive as little as £27 a month for working 15-hour shifts while living onsite in dormitories housing over 100 people.
A statement from the computer firm read: "Apple is committed to ensuring that working conditions in our supply chain are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible" while adding that it was "currently investigating the allegations regarding working conditions in the iPod manufacturing plant in China".