Apple faces iTunes lawsuit

The action follows similar charges in Europe, brought by a French consumer rights group. Out-Law.com says that news of the suit, filed in California last year, came in a disclosure by Apple that formed part of its report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Apple\'s submission to dismiss the suit was turned down. The lawsuit alleges Apple violated antitrust laws by using content protection technology to protect music purchased from its iTunes music store that frustrates the ability of users to play downloaded tracks on anything other than an iPod. Full Out-Law.com report

And Luxpro, a Taiwanese electronics company that won a lawsuit filed against it by Apple over an imitation of the iPod shuffle, intends to countersue Apple for $100m in damages. MSNBC notes that in 2005, Luxpro created a stir at the CeBIT technology show in Germany when it presented an MP3 player that looked similar to the iPod Shuffle. The product had almost the same measurements and weight, came in a white plastic casing and had similar buttons on the front. Its name, Super Shuffle, also closely resembled the original. Apple asked the Shihlin District Court in Taipei for an injunction that would ban Luxpro from manufacturing or selling the product. The injunction was granted. Luxpro appealed and won subsequent lawsuits in the Taiwan High Court and the Taiwan Supreme Court. Full MSNBC report