Apple, Inc., the world’s second-most valuable company (Exxon/Mobile #1) has had its share of legal issues involving technology theft. It has been on both sides of the courtroom.

If this were the movies, and Apple was the good guy, they would be the Rebel Force from “Star Wars.” The Evil Empire would be THX Ltd., a company founded by “Star Wars” producer George Lucas. Apple is accused of stealing speaker technology used in iPhones, iPads and iMac products. As reported in www.washingtonpost.com.

THX holds a 2008 patent for a speaker unit that can boost sound output and attach to computers or flat-screen televisions. Does it seem right that Apple products could incorporate the speaker units without infringing the THX patent?

THX was founded in 2002 and draws its name from Lucas’s first film, THX 1138, according to Wookieepedia, a website about “Star Wars.” Who knew about Wookiepedia?

I am interested to hear what you have to say about this. Is this theft, or is this just an aspect of business that creates more jobs for lawyers? Corporate thievery has been going on since the beginning of corporations. I understand it is utopian to believe in ethics. Yet examine any MBA program in the country and I guaranty you ethics are a major part.