Apple Computer, Inc. has been slapped with a lawsuit over iTunes, AppleInsider has learned.
Contois Music Technology last week asked a Federal Court to stop the iPod maker from distributing its iTunes jukebox software and is seeking damages over an alleged patent violation by the iTunes software. The suit, filed on June 13th in Vermont District Court, alleges that Apple"s iTunes software design infringes on Contois" six-year old design patent (US Patent No. 5,864,868) entitled "Computer Control System and User Interface for Media Playing Devices."
The Essex Junction, Vt.-based Contois is seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining Apple from further distributing its iTunes software in its current form. The company also asked the Court for an unspecified amount of monetary damages resulting from Apple"s "copying and willful infringement" of its design patent as well as reimbursement of legal fees associated with the lawsuit.