Apple to pay Microsoft for Ipod idea

ENTERTAINMENT gear maker Apple will probably have to pay Microsoft about £6 for each iPod it sells.

Earlier this week it was announced that Apple had used the idea for an iPod interface previously patented by Vole.

According to the ruling by the US Patents office, Vole will have the right to charge Job's Mob up to £6 in licence fees.

Microsoft is having a bit of a field day on this one. A spokesVole said that Microsoft was happy to let Apple license its idea so that it can use ‘innovative methods' in its products.

Apparently Microsoft and Apple have previously licensed their respective patent portfolios to one another and "maintain a good working relationship". You can almost here the laughter of a trillion spinsterish voles in the background as they cobbled that comment together.

This £6 per eyePod figure could add up to a lot of moola, so far, 21 million iPods have been sold worldwide so if you multiply £6 buy 21 million you get lots and lots.

The enforced licensing will make sure that the iPod remains reassuringly expensive, just as Vole tries to make a bite into the market itself.

More in the Glasgow Daily Record, here. µ