A claim of breach of copyright from Apple competitors Creative Technology may be a threat to the success of the iPod.

Creative Technology is seeking a US-wide ban on the iPod, claiming the scrolling system for accessing the music breaks copyright law.

The company claims that the iPod scroll function for searching for music violates the patent for its own Zen MP3 player, which it applied for in 2001 and was then granted last year.

Nick Watts, UK vice president for digital music service Music Brigade, related this new disagreement between the two companies to another epic battle:

"It's kind of going back to when we had VHS and Beta Max wars. Consumers ultimately want to have access to music, and they want to have it available on a device that they have."

He added that it was high time for another major player in the ever-expanding MP3 market.

"Apple have had much of the market to themselves for the last couple of years, and although they have helped grow and develop this market place, I think that the time is right for a serious competitor to come in."