Apple files 2nd countersuit against Creative

Technology / Business

(AP) -- Apple Computer Inc. has filed a second countersuit against SIngapore-based Creative Technology Ltd., intensifying its legal battle against the smaller media player rival that sued the iPod maker for patent infringement last month.

Apple's latest lawsuit alleged Creative was infringing on three of its patents involving the display of computer data, the editing of mobile data on a PC and the use of computer icons. The suit was filed June 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

The newest charges echo a countersuit -- but on four other patents -- that Apple filed May 15 in a federal court in Wisconsin. Earlier that same day, Creative sued Apple for alleged patent violations and filed a complaint with a U.S. trade agency seeking to halt iPod sales.

Creative alleged in its suit filed in San Francisco that Apple was infringing on its patent it dubbed the ''Zen patent,'' named after one of its portable media players.

Creative spokesman Phil O'Shaughnessy said Wednesday the company had anticipated Apple's retaliatory action and ''had allocated the appropriate resources to defend against Apple's lawsuits while vigorously protecting Creative's intellectual property rights.''

An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

Cupertino-based Apple is seeking damages and a court order to halt further infringement, according to its countersuit.

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