Linked by weildish on Sat 24th Jan 2009 22:44 UTC
Legal Several days ago when Apple hinted at legal action against Palm, we held our breath to see just what would happen. Now Palm has stepped up to the plate boldly and hinted that they'd fight whatever legal action is thrown at them.
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RE: Comment by matatk
by melgross on Sun 25th Jan 2009 20:10 UTC in reply to "Comment by matatk"
melgross
Member since:
2005-08-12

Apple didn't "start" it. They responded to a question in the way they had to.

Did you expect them to brush off the question? Of course not.

Besides, Apple isn't interested in most of the GUI Palm is using. But there are parts of it that could violate some of Apple's IP.

I just wish people would actually understand what a patent is all about, and not make silly statements.

A silly statement is that Apple isn't the first to use gestures. Well, it doesn't matter!

A patent isn't about ideas. This has been stated over and again, and most people still don't understand it. It's about process. That means that the WAY an idea is implemented is what the patent is all about.

If Palm implemented their finger swipes and such, in the same way internally as Apple has done, then Apple SHOULD sue. It's Apple's technology.

But, if they found a different way to do so, then Apple CAN'T sue, as it's Palm's technology.

This is a pretty simple principal, and people should understand it.

If a third company does the same thing, both Palm AND Apple might be able to sue, or either, or neither. It all depends on HOW this is being done. What is the code doing? How is it doing it? How is the touchscreen responding? Etc.

The result is the gesture. The gesture is likely not patentable, but how they get there is.

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