The patent's in the trial are pretty bad. Half are just about devices synchronize state using a LAN. The other half concern the UI and stuff.
Maybe these had a bit of innovation in 2003 but there is nothing substantial. I'm sure some pre-network audio equipment had to synchronize state and audio timing so doing it over the LAN is not (IMO) sufficient for a new patent.
In any case, software patents should be very strict and last at most 5 years (which is more like 8 years from application to expiry).
Maybe these had a bit of innovation in 2003 but there is nothing substantial. I'm sure some pre-network audio equipment had to synchronize state and audio timing so doing it over the LAN is not (IMO) sufficient for a new patent.
In any case, software patents should be very strict and last at most 5 years (which is more like 8 years from application to expiry).