Apple To Pay $100 Million to Creative in Settlement

Apple Computer said it will pay $100 million for a license to use Creative Technology Ltd.’s patented technology in its iPod music player, settling all legal disputes between the two companies. Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said the agreement ends five lawsuits between the companies “and removes the uncertainty and distraction of prolonged litigation.““Creative is very fortunate to have been granted this early patent,” Jobs added. Creative, the world’s second-largest maker of MP3 music players after Apple, sued Apple in May alleging the Cupertino, California-based computer maker had infringed a patent on its “Zen” player. Jobs said further that the settlement “resolves all of our differences with Creative.” Apple in June countersued, while Creative took the case to the U.S. International Trade Commission and sought a permanent cease-and-desist order against Apple.