Creative Technology is waging yet another war with Apple Computer when it filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking an injunction that would prohibit Apple from importing its iPods (which are manufactured overseas) into the US.

Creative is requesting for an investigation on whether the iPod maker has violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by importing iPods into the US that allegedly infringe on Creative's digital music player patent, known as the "Zen Patent." For the uninitiated, the patent was awarded to Creative on August 9, 2005 for the software interface used by the company in its Zen and NOMAD Jukebox MP3 players. Creative charges that Apple has used the same interface for its iPod, iPod nano and iPod mini players.

Creative is seeking an order prohibiting Apple from engaging in the sale, marketing, importation or sale after importation of its flagship iPod and iPod nano players.

Is the Technology Evangelist correct when it proposes the theory that Mac users are a little masochistic when compared to users of other computer operating systems? They write that over the course of three years, Mac fans have had to deal with several major revisions in the OS that each time brought a slew of whole new problems to the end-user experience.

Remember running older programs in 'Classic' mode on Mac OS X? Yeah, they do too. So what about it? Should we rally and demand that Apple gets its act straight the first time instead of polishing its software every few years, or has what Apple has done been simply evolving its OS as the times have changed?

Technology Evangelist doesn't think so: "Imagine buying a new car with a steerling wheel on the left. A couple years later the industry decides to drive on the opposite side of the road so you buy a car with the steerling wheel on the right. Then a couple years later than industry decides to drive in the middle of the road so you buy a car with the steering wheel in the middle. During each transition people have to re-learn how to drive and keep crashing into each other."

Apple is inviting the media to attend the unveiling of the company's new location in Manhattan. The press will gather May 18 at 10 a.m. EST at the 20,000 sq. ft. store.

Of course many will be speculating as to whether or not Apple will be unveiling any new products, something that remains highly doubtful but that may be a possibility. According to Arstechnica, Apple doesn't make it a habit to announce a new product later in the week, so it seems as though it may end up just being a retail store showcase.

In any case, all ye Mac faithful, mark calendars.

The French Senate finally gives Apple a break by amending a newly-approved copyright bill, which softens the demand that digital music service like iTunes should open up their digital rights management (DRM) technologies to competitors.

The approved bill retains the principle of DRM interoperability, but opens a loophole allowing companies to keep their technology secret. Instead of forcing vendors to give details of their DRM technology, the senators voted to create a new regulatory authority that will mediate requests for such details. The draft of the bill (before it was watered down) would have forced Apple to reveal details of the FairPlay technology it uses to lock tracks bought through its iTunes music store so that they will only play on an iPod, or on a computer running its iTunes jukebox software.

Apple might have scored a big one, but something tells me that the fight is far from over.

Working for AppleCare (or anywhere else for that matter) as a technical support agent could prove to be quite taxing for an ordinary human being. I should know, I've been there. I was a customer service agent for a different IT company for maybe a couple of months and then I just couldn't take it anymore.

Adam Knight recounts his experiences - the good, the bad and the downright ugly - while working for Apple's support division, AppleCare, before calling it quits with the company.

After all the training you've been through, you hit the floor with so much idealism and desire to help that customer, but, after years of performing the same job over and over again, it all becomes routine. Eventually, you become something of a fixture: static.

More of the article after the jump!

Yet another dispute between Apple Computer and Apple Corps came to an end today, as the latter company lost the trademark battle between the two.

Apple Corps disputed that Apple Computer violated their former trademark settlement by using an Apple logo to sell music. The final word from the Judge, Edward Maan was that he could find 'no breach of the trademark agreement' and that the case 'therefore fails'.

Due to losing the case, Apple Corps now plans to appeal the decision made in London's High Court. Although, Steve Jobs is now hopeful that they can work together with Apple Corps to finally get The Beatles (whose interests are represented by the company) on iTunes.

Regardless, Apple will now be able to continue using their logo all across the iTunes store.

CNN reports that Apple will soon add the option of recycling your old computer for free when buying a new Mac, because normally it costs $30 to recycle your Mac. They're planning on starting this offer in June.

"U.S. customers who buy a new Mac through the Apple store online or any Apple retail store will receive free shipping and recycling of their old machines", CNN reports.

At the moment most Apple retailers accept old iPod music players for free recycling when you're buying a new Mac. Also, people who live near Cupertino (where Apple is based), they can drop off their old Macs at the headquarters.

Some organizations, which weren't very positive about Apple's regulations in the past, applaud this offer and they're saying Apple is now closer to Dell and HP for that matter. What do you think about this new offer? Post below!

Today Internet websites are reporting that Samsung, the electronics giant based in South Korea, has managed to secure the contract to supply Apple with media processor chips and components. The big news about the revelation is that the chips will be used in future Apple iPod models.

The contract represents one of the largest contracts in the history of the MP3 market and should position Samsung to receive vast revenues in its association with Apple Computers. We previously reported that PortalPlayer had lost the contract, and hinted that it may have been Samsung that secured the new deal, but the news today confirms it.

At the company's shareholders' meeting on Tuesday, Steve Jobs assured investors that his role in the Disney deal that led to the purchase of Pixar for $7.4 billion by the family-friendly conglomerate does not mean he will neglect his own role at Apple.

According to Mercury News, one of the shareholders asked Steve Jobs directly whether he considered himself to be the "next Michael Eisner."

"That's a valid question,'' said Jobs, who will become a Disney board member. Some investors, he added, wonder if "I will spend all of my time at Disney -- and that couldn't be further from the truth.''

The move to put Jobs in one of the board seats on Disney, he said, only ensures that Pixar will continue to produce as well as it has until now. Having some supervision over his other pride and joy doesn't hurt, he argues.

There is a curious little video floating on YouTube, showing Steve Jobs making his presentation on the upcoming 50-acre campus that Apple will be building, to the Cupertino council. While we're used to seeing the electrified Steve on stage, debuting the best new products in the world and sizzling when he shows off, over and over again, the power of his company to change the world, this time, he looks more like a middle-aged man telling his teenage son that he has to mow the lawn on Saturday instead of going out.

Watch as Jobs scratches the side of his belly when he considers what to say, which often ends up being a repetitive 'pitch' on how much the new campus will benefit the city. Jobs loses all of his grandeur while speaking to the council members. I know, I know, this isn't an event that is set to change the course of the world, it is an informal presentation to keep the city abreast on the company's latest developments, but Steve could still have mustered up a little more excitement in my opinion.

My favorite part is when the presentation is over, and council members, visibly intimidated to be in the presence of one of the country's most visible CEOs, make senseless small talk with the man. "It's like you get a child ... and then you just tell how to educate that child ... that's very key ... that's great," said one of the council members, clearly losing her train of thought while she speaks. "What a great news," says another.