REPORT: Ford could have problems with SYNC patents
At first, Ford's SYNC wasn't much more than a way for drivers to access music on their MP3 players through their car's radio. But SYNC grew up and, in its last update, gained the ability to summon help in an emergency, access navigation and information services and, basically, match GM's OnStar.
Ford had Joseph Berry to thank for that. Past tense. Had. Back in July, Ford reportedly terminated Berry without getting him to sign over several key SYNC patents. Berry says the patents are based on ideas he came up with before joining Ford and therefore belong to him. But, he says, he'll be happy to license them to his former employer. Ford basically says, "No comment."
The patents are directly related technologies that allow SYNC to use mobile phones to access data such as weather and real-time traffic information. Berry says he's currently in talks with "several automakers" and the head of GM's OnStar division will only say that they "know who Joe Berry is."
Should Ford SYNC users be concerned about losing service? Probably not. It seems likely that as soon as Berry and all the lawyers get their cut, everything ought to be back to normal at Ford HQ.
UPDATE: Ford Communications Manager Alan Hall tells us that Ford isn't saying "No comment," actually. Here's his official statement, "We do not see any risk to current SYNC technology or further innovation and capability development. There is no chance for service disruption or capability reduction for our SYNC owners. In fact, we look forward to announcing more new SYNC applications for customers in the months ahead."
Hall also sought to clarify ownership of the SYNC brand, saying, "The "SYNC" name is a Ford trademark. It is a Ford brand, and therefore cannot be used by anyone else, including being applied to the Microsoft Auto operating platform. The exclusivity contract with Microsoft for the underlying Auto operating system expired in November of 2008, so they can provide the software to other companies, which includes the base capabilities of Bluetooth and USB connection for voice control. But, all the other applications - 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Report, and Traffic, Direction & Information - are Ford developed."
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
nrb 7:11PM (9/17/2009)
An auto manufacturer getting sued over a patent dispute? Say it aint so!
Also, doesn't MS own Sync and Ford licenses it from them?
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jv2k 7:35PM (9/17/2009)
Yea I'm wondering that too. I mean is it just something along the lines of the car's operating system with the features just being programs that ford develops or what?
I'm also curious as to how this guy patented a new method of connecting wireless devices to a car. Isn't it just blue tooth?
Judy Zik 10:25PM (9/17/2009)
Technically Microsoft developed the platform Ford developed the application though there is more to it than that. Obviously there is a certain amount of cross pollination between the two groups sharing expertise. Microsoft is supplying more than just an OS here but it is not all Microsoft. Other automakers have licensed the Microsoft platform but that does not mean they get Sync.
hmmwv 10:48AM (9/18/2009)
Microsoft will just call it Windows Auto.
Yaroukh 7:11PM (9/17/2009)
Brian, Matt, hurry up **iots!
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zamafir 7:14PM (9/17/2009)
zing! I'm sure they'll counter this was just waiting in the wings in the event AB was called out.
Brian 7:21PM (9/17/2009)
I DID call them out, and look what happened?
Gardiner Westbound 7:11PM (9/17/2009)
Sounds like Berry has Ford over a barrel. Gotta love it!
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Brian 7:20PM (9/17/2009)
Ford is so screwed. This is standard operating procedure for them, ripping people off, but they're going to get theirs.
And SYNC is their primary market advantage, the lipstick on a pig of mediocre cars, gas-guzzling trucks, and epic cash burn. Chapter 11, here we come!
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Yaroukh 7:23PM (9/17/2009)
300m out of 20g per Q is epic cash burn? :oP
you are epic clown
Alien7 7:25PM (9/17/2009)
Keep dreamin' :)
gbgcarguy 7:26PM (9/17/2009)
Brian,
There is an old addage that states:
Better to say nothing and be thought a fool, than opening your mouth (or keyboard) and removing all doubt!!
Is nothing any car maker does good enough for you??
Brian 7:26PM (9/17/2009)
It is when you're in debt and mortgaged up to your eyeballs.
Ford MIGHT have survived had Obambi not bailed out Government Motors and Crisislyer, but how can Ford compete against rivals with the deep, deep pockets of the federal government and little debt? Answer that.
They are their primary competition (NOT Honda or Toyota, who are in a whole different league).
J 7:35PM (9/17/2009)
ChEvY FTlolzorsW RIGHT??? CAMERO!!1! VO1T!!
"Sync = primary market advantage"?
How about GM/Chrysler? Over the past several years, those two competitors create market advantage.
"Gas-guzzling trucks"? They guzzle the same as the competition.
You want to talk about pigs? Tell me about the Malibu.
Brian 7:38PM (9/17/2009)
I agree, J, GM sucks even more than Ford. But they also have the entire U.S. Treasury at their disposal. Tough for Ford to compete with.
And Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Volkswagen CONTINUE to be so far ahead of Ford that they again, aren't even in the same league.
J 7:53PM (9/17/2009)
Toyota has a definite leg-up on the American competitors -- simply in the form of the Prius. If they would pull their heads out of their asses and put that drivetrain in their other models, they would make quite a few more dollars.
As for Nissan and Honda, they've both lost a step in a major way. Perhaps you've heard of the CrossTour? As for Nissan, Carlos G is staying on because they have admittedly lost their market advantage (consider Nissan in 1999 versus Nissan now). (The GTR is an outlier in the Nissan picture.)
Volkswagen...what have they been up to? Well, they tried to deny that electric technology is a major part of the future. That didn't work out so well. They have diesels, but they're expensive and not rated exceptionally well when compared with Ford's only competitor -- the Fusion Hybrid.
GM does not have the entire treasury at its disposal. Even if it did, Ford has been reviewed as doing exceptionally well in tough times. It is Ford, not GM, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, or Nissan that is viewed to be taking advantage best of the auto climate due to the freshness of their product and the timing with which they started to make changes.
Brian 7:56PM (9/17/2009)
Oh, I forgot to mention Chrysler, but Chrysler is dead. They're going to be selling Fiats in a few years, probably not even re-badged and sell off the pickups and minivans to someone else (probably trucks to Nissan and minivans to Volkswagen). Whether or not they will do better than they did in the '80s remains to be seen.
J 8:15PM (9/17/2009)
Brian,
What the F are you talking about?
Chrysler could survive selling only minivans, Dodge Rams, and Jeep Wranglers. Seriously.
Nissan cancelled their plan to start selling rebadged Rams; it's ridiculous that Volkswagen has decided to extend the rebadging of minivans.
Chrysler, as an independent unit, has been dead for a long time. Some of their vehicles still have a lot of life. Even if they do continue merged with Fiat, so what? It would be wisest of them to stop making cars if they can't make one that people want to buy (and that can make them money).
Oh, and about the 80s...yes, Chrysler did some heinous things in the 80s. However, Chrysler also did some amazing things at the end of the 80s. If they do again what they did then, then the automotive world will again be in awe -- just like it was when the Viper, the Intrepid (revised), the Dakota (revised), and the Ram (revised) came out in the early-mid nineties.
Brian 8:20PM (9/17/2009)
J, I was talking about FIAT in the '80s, not Chrysler!
The original minivans were good and innovative in the '80s for Chrysler...but like a typical Detroit car maker, Chrysler let them rot on the vine and got left in the dust by the transplants.
Mike 8:42PM (9/17/2009)
There's another old adage that applies here: "You can't reason with an unreasonable person". Brian refuses to argue with any merit or facts, and his "the imports are better" shouting is obviously seen as having no weight behind it (notice the ultra low ratings his comments always get).
I swear the guy works at a Swiss Cheese factory, for his arguments have just as many holes and stink to boot.