Following news that Creative is going after Apple comes further news that Apple is going after Creative.

In December last year Creative's Sim Wong Hoo warned the company would, "pursue aggressively" its US patent on a system used to navigate music on digital players".

It was as good as its word and this month Creative said it wants iPod sales banned in the US.

Now, "Apple claims Creative Labs, the U.S. division of Creative Technology, infringes four patents in its hand-held digital players," says Bloomberg News.

But, "Creative proactively held discussions with Apple in our efforts to explore amicable solutions," Phil O'Shaughnessy," a spokesman for Creative is quoted as saying. "At no time during these discussions or at any other time did Apple mention to us the patents it raised in its lawsuit."

Creative is demanding that the US International Trade Commission orders made-in-China iPod imports to be blocked untl the disoute is settled.

"In a sense, Apple is saying enough is enough," says IT News.

"Creative may well have developed a system for searching for music on an MP3 player. However, Apple is the company that brought iPod to the market and created the brand. Creative brought out its first MP3 player in 2000. It had two years head start."

Also See:
pursue aggressively - Creative vs Apple patent war?, December 9, 2005
sales banned - Creative sues Apple, May 16, 2006
Bloomberg News - Apple sues iPod rival over patents, May 19, 2006
IT News - Apple starts to get Creative on patents, May 19, 2006