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Mon, 08 Sep 2008 Apple admits UK boffin invented the iPod

Introducing UK inventor Kane Kramer - and his 1979 iPod, the iXI

Jonny Evans

Apple has finally admitted a British man who left school at 15 "is the inventor of the iPod," the Daily Mail claims.

At issue is the case of Kane Kramer, who allegedly invented technology that drives Apple (and other) music players 30 years ago - but hasn't seen any return on his investment.

It appears Kramer's claim to have invented some element of the music player was borne out by Apple in its case against Burst.com. Apple flew Kramer to California to give evidence during that trial - Kramer could prove prior art in the case.

The UK inventor put together a concept called the IXI in 1979. A digital music player, the original conceit stored only 3.5 minutes of data on its chip, was credit card sized and held a rectangular screen along with a central menu button.

While Kramer was able to patent the invention then, 1988 saw his company fail to secure the £60,000 needed to renew the patent across 120 countries "and the technology became public property", the Mail reports.

While he no longer has claims, he was able to help Apple defend itself against Burst.com. He told the Mail: "To be honest, I was just so pleased that finally something that I had done which has been a huge success and changed the music industry was being acknowledged. I was really quite emotional about it all."

Kramer is negotiating with Apple for compensation from the copyright that he owns on the drawings, but has received only a consultancy fee so far - despite Apple's billions of dollars in the bank.

The British inventor last year had to sell his house and move his wife and three children into rented accommodation

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Comments received


Oliver said on Mon, 08 Sep 2008

Typical Apple

clyde said on Mon, 08 Sep 2008

Why typical, at least Apple have admitted this unlike most Microsoft "inventions"

Ynda said on Mon, 08 Sep 2008

I hope Kramer gets a return on his inventiveness. I would like to think that Apple supports people that Think Differnt

Johan said on Tue, 09 Sep 2008

Typical Apple? No so. Finally some company seems to give Kramer the recognition he deserves.

Oliver said on Tue, 09 Sep 2008

Typical Apple because they do not invent they innovate, and put a shiney badge on it. For example the MacBook Air, you don't think Apple actually made the mainboard that size to fit in, no they made the case.

ZABAMAN said on Tue, 09 Sep 2008

Without apple these innovations would never see the light of day, and executed so brilliantly. Give him some dosh steve!

daz43 said on Tue, 09 Sep 2008

It just seems a shame that someone invents something and then, because he cannot afford the exhorbitant fee(tax) to renew the patent, ends up loosing his home. Whereas the "big boys", who merely trawl the patent offices, then make billions out of his work without having to pay a penny for the privilege. Where's the justice in that, eh?

ARI said on Tue, 09 Sep 2008

Hey Ollie, why waste your time posting here on a Mac website???

Mark Ryder said on Wed, 10 Sep 2008

The only reason Apple are 'USING' the inventor is to stop a law suit that could cost them millions they don't care about Kramer or his plight any more than the legal defence he can give them it would be nice if they could think different and make a hero of him and at the same time earn more brownie points from all us loyal apple geeks that also think different and want to believe that apple have not become a corporate monster!

Oliver said on Wed, 10 Sep 2008

@ARI: Honestly I like to spark debates. Apple are nor a good or a bad company. They've produced some crap and are doing some stupid things, and unfair things. But they have also produced good products, and a half decent operating system.

The Eck said on Sat, 13 Sep 2008

What the heck is a "boffin?" The UK version of a buffoon? Really, now.

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