StreetSpace Sues Apple, Others Over In-app Ad Patent

StreetSpace has hit Apple, Google, and a few other companies with a patent infringement lawsuit alleging the companies are violating a patent it holds that describes a way of delivering customized ads in apps and Web sites. The lawsuit specifically mentions Apple’s iAd service, which serves up advertisements in apps on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

StreetSpace sues Apple over iAdStreetSpace says Apple’s iAd steps on its patent

The patent in question, 6,847,969, is titled “Method and System for Providing Personalized Online Services and Advertisement in Public Spaces.” The filing stated that by offering targeted ads to potential customers, and by offering a service to sell that ad space, Apple and the other companies listed in the lawsuit are willfully infringing on its patent.

Along with Apple and Google, StreetSpace also named the Apple-owned Quattro Wireless, AdMob, Nokia, NAVTEQ, and several other companies.

Unlike so many of the companies suing Apple’ StreetSpace actually has a product to sell; in this case, it’s the Web Station Internet kiosk.

StreetSpace filed its lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Northern California.

Apple has not commented on the case.

[Thanks to Patently Apple for the heads up.]