Playmaker’s Blog

Skip Ahead

August 22, 2005

iPod Patents

You’d think that Apple’s iPod, the catalyst to a new generation of music consumers and a boon for the come-back computer maker, has a big lead. You’d think it’s Apple that’s run the Preempt . But not so fast. In August 2005, the U.S. Patent Office ruled that Apple’s bitter rival, Microsoft, is the rightful holder to a user interface patent for the handheld digital music player – the technical equivalent of iPod’s core technology.

Just Jam It

August 22, 2005

Nike & World Cup

In 2002, sporting equipment company Adidas paid more than 30 million dollars for sponsorship right to the World Cup, a marketing opportunity that mirrored massive interest in the global sport of football (a.k.a. American soccer). Not to be outdone, its rival Nike paid top teams, like Brazil, to don its uniforms.