Apple Sued for iTunes Patent Infringement

ZapMedia on Wednesday sued Apple alleging the company's iTunes Store is using patented technologies for distributing digital media over the Internet.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the lawsuit claims infringement on a patent that was filed in 2000 and awarded to ZapMedia in 2006. The second patent was just awarded to ZapMedia on Tuesday.

The patent covers a portal "media library database server application that manages access [to] a master library of media assets that can be accessed by users via one or more communication networks. A plurality of media player devices communicate with the portal to access media assets for use. Each media player device may comprise a processor that executes a database client application that manages media assets licensed for use by a user."

ZapMedia said it believes that Apple will continue to infringe on the patents. The lawsuit says that Apple knew about the patents, but continued to infringe "in a manner that is objectively reckless."

According to lawsuit filed with the court, ZapMedia is seeking monetary damages and a permanent injunction against Apple. ZapMedia also requested that any damages awarded be trebled if a jury finds the the infringement was willful.

Apple representatives were not immediately available for comment. Typically, Apple does not comment on pending litigation.