Sharing Sound, LLC recently brought a lawsuit on a few different companies offering online music sales. The lawsuit was over a patent that Sharing Sound owned for the online distribution of digital music files. The companies mentioned in the lawsuit included Apple, Microsoft, Napster, Rhapsody, Amazon, and Netflix. Today, however, Apple has officially settled the patent dispute.

With over 300 stores in the US (and growing), Apple has managed to attract quite a following to its retail locations. The stores consistently stay packed, carry a supreme selection of products, and customers usually leave with a huge grin on their faces. But, what does it take to get to that point? What exactly goes into an Apple Store launch, and how grueling is the long waiting period before the store is actually opened to the public? As a frequent write for Maclife.com and a huge Apple fan, this writer is here to tell you all about the days leading up to South Carolina's brand spankin' new Apple Store.

A research firm recently announced that Apple's online store is now the second most visited online retailer.