Apple faces business method suit


Ars Technica reports that Apple's been hit with what amounts to a business method patent suit by "inventors" in Utah.

Here's the nut of the plaintiff's claim:

The patent covers a system where gift cards for all sorts of goods could be sold at physical stores, then redeemed online by recipients of the cards. According to the claim, the couple contacted Apple in 2005, when the company released iTunes Custom Cards that were very similar to the (not yet issued) patent.

iTunes gift cards (available at retail, redeemable online) have been available since at least 2003, so there's prior art from Apple and very likely a host of others predating that.

This case carries the same foully absurd stench of Amazon's one-click buying...

What's your take?

Refurbished iPod nano, 4GB - available in silver, blue, green and pink, only $99!