Here's the thing. Apple took the desktop metaphors and input technology from PARC. But it then made its own interface. The Xerox PARC machines don't look like a Macintosh. I don't think you can compare that to what Google did with Android.

Android basically stole the iPhone interface in its entirety. Right down to the screen resolution and icon placement (bottom of the screen on each app).

In fact, to put an even finer point on it, Google scrapped its version of Android (see here: http://techcrunch.com/2007/12/17/android-prototype-lets-hope...) and went to work on a full on copy of the iPhone.

I'm glad Android's out there to provide competition. But there's no doubt Android's theft of the iPhone interface is more brazen than any other example I can think of.

I doubt this is really about ideas. It's probably more about feeling betrayed by a friend and former member of the board.

Xerox invested $1 million in Apple by purchasing 100000 shares at $10 each.