Apple decided to get over-protective and play the patent game with one of their own suppliers - what else do they expect in response. I can understand both points of view, but at the end of the day both companies are there for one purpose and thats to make money and grow shareholder value - its pretty clear they need each other right now so I guess its just a matter of how they share the proceeds of the success the products they make are enjoying. I can imagine being a supplier to Apple is a tough gig, I suspect Apple can emanate a certain degree of self-ritiousness and arrogance, just like Samsung can when selling flat screen TV's to retailers. six of one...
In many ways, the dispute is a non-issue for customers (of which I am one), it makes interesting news I suppose and no doubt Apple will do everything it can to find an alternative long term supplier or even start making their own chips.
Gerry