Jury Rules Apple's iPhone Infringes Three Patents in MobileMedia Trial

MacRumors · Dec 13, 2012, 11:46 AM

Bloomberg reports that a jury in Delaware has found Apple guilty of patent infringement in a lawsuit brought by MobileMedia Ideas, a patent holding firm organized by Sony, Nokia, and MPEG LA. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2010, ultimately focused on three patents MobileMedia Ideas claimed were infringed by the iPhone.

Quote:

In its complaint, MobileMedia contended it would suffer "irreparable injury" if Apple was allowed to use the patented inventions in its iPhone without paying royalties.

[MobileMedia CEO Larry] Horn said one patent is for the camera phone and others cover call handling and call rejection. He said MobileMedia has a portfolio of about 300 patents.

The jury in the trial reportedly deliberated for approximately four hours at the end of the weeklong trial, finding that the patents were valid and that they had been infringed upon by Apple. No damages have yet been awarded in the case.

Article Link: Jury Rules Apple's iPhone Infringes Three Patents in MobileMedia Trial

camnchar · Dec 13, 2012, 11:50 AM

So one of mobilemediaidea's "ideas" was a "camera phone"? Good lord.

ritmomundo · Dec 13, 2012, 11:52 AM

After all the crazy patents Apple claims, I wouldn't be surprised if this was just the tip of the iceberg.

slffl · 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ritmomundo

After all the crazy patents Apple claims, I wouldn't be surprised if this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Tip of what iceburg? Companies have been suing Apple for years. You just choose not read about them and instead focus on the anti-Apple link bait sites that only post about the Apple suites.

Edit:
Here's who's really suing who in the smartphonewars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone_wars

wikus · Dec 13, 2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slffl

Tip of what iceburg? Companies have been suing Apple for years. You just choose not read about them and instead focus on the anti-Apple link bait sites that only post about the Apple suites.

No, its not that he doesnt read them, its because nobody reports them.

Was there a lot of media buzz when Apple took a Polish online food delivery store to court because their website was named www.a.pl

That kind of crap is on the same level of shadiness as Monster Cables suing a mini golf business also using 'monster' in their name.

Plutonius · Dec 13, 2012, 12:08 PM

I would like to see if everyone else is paying royalties for a camera phone ?

Thunderhawks · Dec 13, 2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ritmomundo

After all the crazy patents Apple claims, I wouldn't be surprised if this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Agreed.

It is almost a guarantee that whatever one thinks up these days was in one way or another patented in the broadest sense.

Especially, if there was only one way of doing things.

I would also guess that it is almost impossible to check patents their interpretations and finding them all these days.

This is like the gold rush era, just different nuggets to cash in.

lazard · Dec 13, 2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camnchar

So one of mobilemediaidea's "ideas" was a "camera phone"? Good lord.

not mobilemediaideas, but most like Sony or Nokia.

Jeaz · Dec 13, 2012, 11:53 AM

I wish I could get a patent trial free version of MacRumors, because they couldn't interest me less. So bored of all this suing back and forth that's only really a profit the law firms.

dalbir4444 · Dec 13, 2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeaz

I wish I could get a patent trial free version of MacRumors, because they couldn't interest me less. So bored of all this suing back and forth that's only really a profit the law firms.

You mean the lawyers right? (Unless you just called Apple a law firm

) Along with the company that wins the lawsuits.

Bubba Satori · Dec 13, 2012, 11:56 AM

I'm shocked.

Uncle David · Dec 13, 2012, 11:57 AM

Turnabout is fairplay! ::shrug::

gluckett · Dec 13, 2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle David

Turnabout is fairplay! ::shrug::

Careful there talking about Apple like that, they may be after you next for using "fairplay" in your post

Steviejobz · Dec 13, 2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeaz

I wish I could get a patent trial free version of MacRumors, because they couldn't interest me less. So bored of all this suing back and forth that's only really a profit the law firms.

i'm sure these big companies utilize a lot of in-house counsel

charlieegan3 · Dec 13, 2012, 12:02 PM

Patent battles are getting so very tiresome.

DanteMann · Dec 13, 2012, 12:02 PM

Hopefully people will come to realize how companies have and must take ideas from other companies in order for the hardware and software to advance. Fanboys on both sides of the aisle need to understand that one company alone cannot come up with all the game changing features in hardware and software. Manufactures will borrow, copy, and take inspiration from it's competitors. Consumers need to stop taking sides like they're taking the side of a family member. It's ridiculous. Just let the market go where it will and encourage manufactures to keep innovating and fighting outside the courtroom. And you do this by deciding where your hard earned dollar goes.
Patent for a rectangle with rounded corners? Really? It's not just the patent office granting such a patent, but also the manufacturer that would even have the nerve to actually apply for such a patent. It's this kind of shlt that gets the market nowhere.

phillipduran · Dec 13, 2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanteMann

Hopefully people will come to realize how companies have and must take ideas from other companies in order for the hardware and software to advance. .

Another approach would be to not allow patents for minor things. Set a higher bar for granting ownership to ideas and inventions.

Swiping a touchscreen a certain way should not be awarded a patent. Inventing a new type of multi touch technology, sure. Saving pictures and emailing them from a phone, no. Making all the circuitry and hardware for a device that can take pictures and email, sure.

JHankwitz · Dec 13, 2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeaz

I wish I could get a patent trial free version of MacRumors, because they couldn't interest me less. So bored of all this suing back and forth that's only really a profit the law firms.

Then why do you keep reading and posting? You will always attract more of that which you focus on.

Jeaz · Dec 15, 2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHankwitz

Then why do you keep reading and posting? You will always attract more of that which you focus on.

I don't. First time I comment on a law suit article. Obviously I see the articles since I frequent MacRumors every day, but they've come to a point where they just annoy me. Hence the wish for a block. I know it's not gonna happen, but doesn't stop me from wishing I could have it.

BobCollins · Dec 13, 2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeaz

I wish I could get a patent trial free version of MacRumors, because they couldn't interest me less. So bored of all this suing back and forth that's only really a profit the law firms.

I wish we could get a patent trial free version of Apple. Their incessant litigation is an indication that they don't have much more to innovate and their focus is protecting what they have.

Windlasher · Dec 13, 2012, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobCollins

I wish we could get a patent trial free version of Apple. Their incessant litigation is an indication that they don't have much more to innovate and their focus is protecting what they have.

UH... apple didn't file this lawsuit. Many of these lawsuits are leeches trying to cash in on apple. WHAT, they shouldn't defend themselves?

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by leroypants

Typical Apple thievery.

yes because Apple is the only phone maker with a camera in the phone.

DrStern · Dec 14, 2012, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeaz

I wish I could get a patent trial free version of MacRumors, because they couldn't interest me less. So bored of all this suing back and forth that's only really a profit the law firms.

I actually wouldn't mind it if they maintained some coverage, but just didn't allow commentary under their patent trial stories. Weeding through the rantings of regulars on both sides of the issue just to find a few nuggets of actual information is a nauseating exercise in futility.

Renzatic · Dec 13, 2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camnchar

So one of mobilemediaidea's "ideas" was a "camera phone"? Good lord.

It's only obvious now that someone else has made it.

Hello there, double edged sword.

dalbir4444 · Dec 13, 2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renzatic

It's only obvious now that someone else has made it.

Hello there, double edged sword.

Yes. People here don't realize that MobileMedia completely revolutionized phones with this idea.

Renzatic · Dec 13, 2012, 12:43 PM

It seems to me most revolutions are in the eye of the beholder around here.

This is yet another perfect example of why I don't particularly like the patent system as is. Camera phones. Yeah, there's about a billion different ways to implement a camera in a phone, and Apple's process is likely entirely different than Mobilemedia's implementation.

Yet they were still sued because, hey, we've got a patent for a camera in a phone that uses software to process and display the pictures. It's likely very specific in its vagueness, enough to the point that they can patent the idea and end results rather than the process itself.

It's the same way with bounce back scrolling. Samsung likely used an entirely different setup to achieve the same results, yet were sued because...hey...bounce back scrolling. Apple has a patent for that.

It's a rather desperate thing for me to do, but I'm hoping now that Apple has been sued over something stupid and obvious, it'll lend some much needed perspective to the people who argue that the patent system protects innovation, rather than curtails it by allowing a select few to own an entire idea.

Remember people. It used to be you could patent the designs for a steam engine, not the concept of a steam engine itself. That's the way it should be now.

...but isn't.

Dec 13, 2012, 11:50 AM	#2
camnchar macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SLC, Utah	So one of mobilemediaidea's "ideas" was a "camera phone"? Good lord. __________________ Apple //c, 1 MHz, 128k RAM, 5.25" floppy drive, 1-button mouse
	7

Dec 13, 2012, 12:02 PM	#15
charlieegan3 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: U.K	Patent battles are getting so very tiresome. __________________ www.charlieegan3.com
	5

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Dec 13, 2012, 11:52 AM	#3
ritmomundo macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bel Air, CA	After all the crazy patents Apple claims, I wouldn't be surprised if this was just the tip of the iceberg.
	11

Dec 13, 2012, 12:08 PM	#6
Plutonius macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New Hampshire	I would like to see if everyone else is paying royalties for a camera phone ?
	5

Dec 13, 2012, 11:53 AM	#9
Jeaz macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2009	I wish I could get a patent trial free version of MacRumors, because they couldn't interest me less. So bored of all this suing back and forth that's only really a profit the law firms.
	11

Dec 13, 2012, 11:56 AM	#11
Bubba Satori macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: B'ham	I'm shocked.
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 11:57 AM	#12
Uncle David macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2011	Turnabout is fairplay! ::shrug::
	3

Dec 13, 2012, 12:02 PM	#16
DanteMann Banned Join Date: May 2011	Hopefully people will come to realize how companies have and must take ideas from other companies in order for the hardware and software to advance. Fanboys on both sides of the aisle need to understand that one company alone cannot come up with all the game changing features in hardware and software. Manufactures will borrow, copy, and take inspiration from it's competitors. Consumers need to stop taking sides like they're taking the side of a family member. It's ridiculous. Just let the market go where it will and encourage manufactures to keep innovating and fighting outside the courtroom. And you do this by deciding where your hard earned dollar goes. Patent for a rectangle with rounded corners? Really? It's not just the patent office granting such a patent, but also the manufacturer that would even have the nerve to actually apply for such a patent. It's this kind of shlt that gets the market nowhere.
	2

Dec 13, 2012, 12:43 PM	#25
Renzatic macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Android Fone Spy	It seems to me most revolutions are in the eye of the beholder around here. This is yet another perfect example of why I don't particularly like the patent system as is. Camera phones. Yeah, there's about a billion different ways to implement a camera in a phone, and Apple's process is likely entirely different than Mobilemedia's implementation. Yet they were still sued because, hey, we've got a patent for a camera in a phone that uses software to process and display the pictures. It's likely very specific in its vagueness, enough to the point that they can patent the idea and end results rather than the process itself. It's the same way with bounce back scrolling. Samsung likely used an entirely different setup to achieve the same results, yet were sued because...hey...bounce back scrolling. Apple has a patent for that. It's a rather desperate thing for me to do, but I'm hoping now that Apple has been sued over something stupid and obvious, it'll lend some much needed perspective to the people who argue that the patent system protects innovation, rather than curtails it by allowing a select few to own an entire idea. Remember people. It used to be you could patent the designs for a steam engine, not the concept of a steam engine itself. That's the way it should be now. ...but isn't.
	2