Apple iPod is making Microsoft dance to the music

Apple is obviously having great success with its iPod line. The product sold a whopping 18 million units last year (with an overall sales figure of 21 million units since iPod's introduction). So what could possibly spoil this amazing success? Well...maybe Apple putting $$$ into Microsoft's pocket for each unit sold. Sky News is reporting that Microsoft will be getting a cut from each iPod sale (about $10), as royalty payments for Microsoft patents used in the iPod. How ironic is this?