Apple Hints at Legal Action Against Palm
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 22nd Jan 2009 12:04 UTC
Legal Remember when Steve Jobs launched the iPhone, and held it up in the air, proudly proclaiming "Boy, have we patented it", followed by a massive applause of the adoring audience? It may seem like this wasn't just an empty claim, either. During the earnings conference call yesterday, the company hinted at possible legal action against Palm were the Pre to infringe on iPhone patents.
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RE[3]: This just goes to show
by Adurbe on Thu 22nd Jan 2009 14:09 UTC in reply to "RE[2]: This just goes to show"
Adurbe
Member since:
2005-07-06

And how exaclty is the iphone innovatively using the multitouch technology as supposed to earlier innovations? Zooming in and out of image/maps etc has been done before, putting it on a smaller device is hardly innovative ...


the manner in which you pinch (or un-pinch?) on the screen for example, as far as im aware, that was not used in the same way before. Do you have an example where it has been?

As detailed in my example, the clockwork radio clearly indicated, you dont need to invent all the bits for it to be patented. You need only use the technology in a new way

Reply Parent Score: 0

Thom_Holwerda Member since:
2005-06-29

the manner in which you pinch (or un-pinch?) on the screen for example, as far as im aware, that was not used in the same way before. Do you have an example where it has been?


So... If pinching can be patented... Does that mean I can patent moving my mouse to the "left" to move my "pointer" to the "left" of the "screen"?

I don't see a difference really.

Reply Parent Score: 5

RE[5]: This just goes to show
by majipoor on Thu 22nd Jan 2009 14:33 in reply to "RE[4]: This just goes to show"
majipoor Member since:
2009-01-22

So... If pinching can be patented... Does that mean I can patent moving my mouse to the "left" to move my "pointer" to the "left" of the "screen"?

I don't see a difference really.


You can try to patent it and your request will be rejected.

If you are really interested in knowing your facts (are you?), you should google a little bit to know which patents Apple has registered on the iPhone UI or hardware.

AFAIK, they have claimed to have 200+ patents which HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED.

You can argue whether patents are a good thing or not, but I don't see why other company would be allowed to sue over patent infringment and not Apple.

And I'm sure Palm has many patents too and would sue any company if necessary.

Reply Parent Score: 1

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RE[5]: This just goes to show
by Adurbe on Thu 22nd Jan 2009 15:05 in reply to "RE[4]: This just goes to show"
Adurbe Member since:
2005-07-06

"the manner in which you pinch (or un-pinch?) on the screen for example, as far as im aware, that was not used in the same way before. Do you have an example where it has been?
So... If pinching can be patented... Does that mean I can patent moving my mouse to the "left" to move my "pointer" to the "left" of the "screen"? I don't see a difference really. "


the mouse has become ubiquitous BUT dont forget someone DID invent the 'move mouse right, pointer moves right' functionality. The inventor (in my opinion) should have the right to protect that invention and the r+d invested into its creation (this is primarily served by patents and copyright)

Remember that with all patents, if you can prove prior art then that patent becomes void

if you can find an example where "apple's pinch" was used before (as described in the patent) please publish it

Macworld previously had a feature on apple taking advantage of this patent 'way back' in 2007
http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=18340

Reply Parent Score: 0

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RE[4]: This just goes to show
by tupp on Thu 22nd Jan 2009 22:19 in reply to "RE[3]: This just goes to show"
tupp Member since:
2006-11-12

the manner in which you pinch (or un-pinch?) on the screen for example, as far as im aware, that was not used in the same way before. Do you have an example where it has been?

Here is a history of multi-touch: http://www.billbuxton.com/multitouchOverview.html

Please see the last entry for the year 1991, "Digital Desk." The second paragraph reads, "Clearly demonstrated multi-touch concepts such as two finger scaling and translation of graphical objects, using either a pinching gesture or a finger from each hand, for example."

The Digital Desk pinching gesture preceded the Iphone by over 15 years.

By the way, note two entries down the "Simon" touch phone.

Also, to get a sense of multi-touch history, note that the first multi-touch system was the "Flexible Machine Interface" of 1982 (two years before the first Mac).

In addition, watch Jeff Han scale items on his multi-touch display at this February, 2006 Ted presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwGAKUForhM&feature=PlayList&p=2CB30...

The first scaling pinch occurs at 02:46, and he specifically mentions scaling with two fingers on a hand at 03:06. This is almost one full year before the Iphone.

Furthermore, multi-touch on handheld devices is obvious and was not invented by Apple. Here is an article regarding a Nintendo multi-touch patent that was granted on February 2, 2006 (again, almost one year prior to the Iphone): http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/26/patent-application-reveals-ninten...

Patents for multi-touch gestures (by Apple and others) are ridiculous, as the of advantage most of these interactions became obvious very early in the development of multi-touch systems.

Edited 2009-01-22 22:21 UTC

Reply Parent Score: 6