Like the RIM Blackberry case, burst.com v. Apple Computer is another instance of: who are these unknowns accusing a beloved product company? In its "underdog" story, BusinessWeek at least does a Fox-News-worthy "fair and balanced" reporting of some of the context of the situation.

Here's the crux of the problem facing inventors - this quote from Richard Lang of burst.com, in trying to get Apple to take a patent license: "The attitude is exactly like it is at Microsoft and everywhere else. If you won't take next to nothing, we'll fight you for the next 10 years." Facing the prospect of being caught out for unethical conduct, Microsoft shelled out $60 million to settle its case with Burst.com.