Apple Computer Inc. revealed Friday that not only are current and former officers facing a securities lawsuit, it also is the defendant in three federal suits, including one that alleges the company created an illegal monopoly by linking iTunes music and video sales to its market-leading iPod portable players.

    The case, filed July 21, is over Apple's use of a copy-protection system that generally prevents iTunes music and video from playing on rival players. Likewise, songs purchased elsewhere aren't easily playable on iPods. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages and other relief.

    The court denied Apple's motion to dismiss the complaint on Dec. 20.

    Another lawsuit, filed Nov. 7, alleges that the logic board of Apple's iBook G4 fails at an abnormally high rate. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages.

    In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple said its response to the complaint is not
yet due.

    The Cupertino, California-based company also disclosed Friday that PhatRat Technology LLC filed a lawsuit Oct. 24 alleging patent infringement.

    The Nike-iPod product in question, developed jointly with Nike Inc., allows runners to keep track of how far and how fast they've gone. The company's response to the complaint is not yet due.

    The securities lawsuit accuses Apple and some of its current and former officers of improperly backdating stock-option grants, failing to properly account for them and making false financial statements. Defendants' responses to the complaint are not yet due.

    The company cleared Chief Executive Steve Jobs and the rest of its current management of misconduct involving the stock-option practice, despite Jobs' awareness of favorable grant dates.

    The company restated past earnings Friday as a result of its three-month probe.

    The lawsuits, many of which seek class-action status, were disclosed in Apple's delayed regulatory filing with the SEC.

    Apple shares rose about 4.9 percent to close at 84.84 U.S. dollars Friday on the Nasdaq Stock Market following the announcement.

    (Agencies)