Microsoft and Apple stole our technology

ISRAELI SOFTWARE OUTFIT Emblaze has accused Microsoft and Apple of infringing its US patent for media streaming technology.

Emblaze, whose companies include Magic Software and Matrix IT, said that the Vole's IIS Smooth Streaming system and Apple's HTTP Live Streaming application use its technology.

Reuters reports that Emblaze had banged off a letter to Microsoft offering to licence it the technology but had not heard back yet. The Vole apparently has until March 15 to reply. Apple had a similar letter in the post.

Emblaze Chairman Naftali Shani said that while the company was happy to license its technology to third parties, the outfit would defend its rights and competitive position.

Microsoft uses Smooth Streaming to deliver multimedia, graphics and animation including high-definition video via its Silverlight software, while Apple uses HTTP Live Streaming in its Iphone, Ipod Touch and Ipad, as well as in its OS X Snow Leopard operating system. µ