Apple sues Atico over patent infringement

iPod accessories in the dock

16 May 2008 14:38 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Apple has sued Atico International USA claiming the company has infringed five patents for accessories to be used with iPods. The patents in question cover accessory designs and a system for transferring information.

Atico is apparently selling unlicensed versions of products for the iPod, which is costing Apple money in lost sales and damaging its reputation, the Mac-maker said.

According to the legal papers filed in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, Apple is looking for a court order to halt the sale of Atico's supposedly patent-infringing products in the United States.

Asking for a jury trial, Apple apparently also alleges trademark infringement and unfair competition. "The iPod's success has spawned an enormous demand for iPod-compatible accessories" Apple said in the papers, listing docking stations, speakers and cables as such in-demand add-ons.