News Release
June 27, 2012
Edison, New Jersey
For Immediate Release
Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Apple
The estate of Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, motion picture camera and numerous other devices found in today’s mobile phones today announced a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple.
According to Clarice E. Edison, the great, great, great grand daughter of Thomas Edison, the iPhone incorporates many of the inventor’s 1000+ patents developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In particular, she said in a short press conference yesterday that electrical luminescent filament technology that back-lights the smartphone’s screen was lifted from the light bulb.
The last living relative of the creative man also touched upon his carbon microphone, claiming that the iPhone’s mic used the earlier version as a prototype and works in a similar fashion to the Edison device.
“In other words,” Ms. Edison said, “you speak into it and the vibrations from the human voice are converted into electrical signals that are transmitted. Apple clearly stole the idea which millions of iPhone users employ to make phone calls…Without doubt, that’s a patent infringement.”
Other alleged patent infringements by the Cupertino, California company include:
- Phonograph. Apple’s iPod product line, despite not having the “look and feel” of the original invention, borrows “creative elements and thoughts” behind the prolific genius’ work. MP3 players are “derivatives” of the original phonograph that became turntables, then MP3 players, then iPods, then the iPod Touch.
- Motion Picture Camera. While most mobile phone manufacturers today include camera phones in their devices, she said, Apple borrowed early analog elements of the motion picture camera, including the Kinetophone, that resembles what one sees when looking into an iPhone lens. Similar to Kodak’s case against Apple and RIM for digital imaging, “…the organization believes Steve Jobs willfully and deliberately lifted key video component ideas that were used in the phone.”
Patent Infringment Lawsuit Now?
When questioned by the press why her group, after decades of silence, is now suing Apple for patent infringement, Ms. Edison said: “Well, we noticed in the press that most consumer electronics companies, especially the smartphone manufacturers, are suing each otherfor similar
reasons.
“You know, HTC, Apple, Nokia, Samsung, RIM, LG Group, Qualcomm, Motorola and Sharp. We believe our organization should get its share of the patent lawsuit proceeds. After all, Mr. Edison was the original inventor of most modern consumer electronics’ devices…It’s only fair, don’t you think?”
“As Edison himself said in a 1932 article in Harper’s Monthly, “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration. We believe his sweat is worth something.”
When called by several reporters, Apple had no comment about the pending patent infringement litigation.
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