[comp.sys.mac] Fwd: Apple Computer - Xerox Suit -2

mr2t+@andrew.cmu.edu (Michael Tod Rose) (12/16/89)

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From: DowJones@andrew
To: bb+dow-jones@andrew
Subject: Apple Computer - Xerox Suit -2-
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 89 00:05:51 -0500 (EST)

  

  Apple Computer Inc. said the Xerox Corp. complaint alleges that ''the
Lisa interface, introduced in January 1983, and the Macintosh interface,
introduced in January 1984, unlawfully incorporate 'material' developed
by Xerox in the late 1970s and early 1980s.''    

  Apple said in a press release that Xerox seeks to invalidate its copyright
registrations on the Lisa and Macintosh programs because it claims that
they ''overlap'' with the Xerox Star copyright registrations.    

  Apple said, however, that the complaint does not charge it with infringement
of Xerox's copyrights or other intellectual property rights.   

  Apple said, ''Nor does the complaint explain why Xerox is now raising
these claims, almost seven years after the Lisa was first introduced.''
   

  Edward Stead, Apple's vice president and general counsel, said, ''Xerox's
claims seem to confuse audio-visual expression, which can be granted
copyright protection, with ideas that are unprotectable.  It also contains
numerous inaccuracies about the Lisa and Macintosh developments.''  


  Stead also said that the allegations are similar to defenses raised
by Microsoft Corp. and Hewlett-Packard in Apple's copyright infringement
case, which also is pending in Federal Court in San Francisco.     

  12:45 PM