Apple sued over Mac OS X’s speedy startup

It appears that being a multi-billion dollar company just opens up the door for lawsuits with just about everyone under the sun claiming you violated on their intellectual property. While we cannot say for sure who’s in the wrong here, it appears that Apple is facing a lawsuit brought on by Operating Systems Solutions who claims that the speedy startup time for Mac OS X violated one of their patents.

For those who own MacBook Airs, you guys are probably familiar with Apple’s advertising of the laptop, claiming speedy startup times which have been verified in various reviews that can found online. Apparently the startup speed which you’re enjoying (which is partly due to the flash memory) belongs to Operating Systems Solution which was originally issued to LG Electronics back in 2002 and reissued again in 2008.

The patent in question, which Operating Systems Solutions is claiming Apple infringed upon, reads as follows:

“a method for fast booting a computer system, comprising the steps of: A. performing a power on self test (POST) of basic input output system (BIOS) when the system is powered on or reset is requested; B. checking whether a boot configuration information including a system booting state which was created while executing a previous normal booting process exists or not; C. storing the boot configuration information from execution of the POST operation before loading a graphic interface (GUI) program, based on the checking result; and D. loading the graphic user interface (GUI) program.”

It does not appear which version of Mac OS X that they are referring to, but at the moment it seems that they are filing an injunctive relief and are seeking damages and the immediate “destruction [of] all remaining advertisements, circulars, brochures, or other promotional or advertising items, Web site, or other materials for the infringing method.”

Ouch. No word on what Apple has to say about this although we’re guessing that they can’t be too pleased about it.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Computers
Tags: OS X, patent infringement