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Apple has been granted a patent for the design of its iconic glass cube Fifth Avenue retail store, reports Patently Apple.

fifthavenue_hero.jpg
The decision comes four years after Apple applied for a trademark related to the store's design, which is still currently pending. The panted granted today was originally filed on October 15, 2012 and credits eight inventors including former Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

Apple's Fifth Avenue store opened on May 19, 2006 and was designed by architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. Due to a structural overhaul that took place in 2011, the location currently uses 15 panes of glass as opposed to 90 used in the original cube. The renovations on the newer cube also did away with nearly all of the hardware that previously held the original panes together, resulting in a "seamless" design.

Article Link: Apple Granted Patent for Fifth Avenue Glass Cube Store Design
 
I remember when I first saw it, I was like "So where's all the stuff?"

I love the design, I see it as a metaphor for all things Apple - A gorgeous design that compromises on practicality, but you're willing to accept it because it just looks so damn nice.
 
Didn't know you could patent that? The store is basically underground and the glass is just show but it is nice especially at night! You see lots of people taking pics! Only in " The City" my home yo! Fagetaboutit :cool:
 
?!
They patented a glass cube?!
Seriously?!
I call plagiarism: http://www.wikiart.org/en/larry-bell/glass-cube-1966#supersized-artistPaintings-288973
 
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?!
They patented a glass cube?!
Seriously?!
I call plagiarism: http://www.wikiart.org/en/larry-bell/glass-cube-1966#supersized-artistPaintings-288973


No , it does make sense if no one has built this before and just think of Samsung building one down the block? Now they can't think about it without getting sued!!!
 
I feel sorry for farmers, as they won't be able to use their greenhouses any more.

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I just hope this clear box is not meant to be an artistic reputation of Jonny ives new ideas and concepts.
 
Does anyone proof reed thes stuph?

The decision comes four years after Apple applied for a trademark related to the store's design, which is still currently pending. The panted granted...
 
This thread is about to be filled with comments from people who have no idea what a design patent is.
 
Which is crazy. Of all the things to do in New York...

It's normal for tourists to visit architectural icons in cities they visit. People visit cathedrals too, but it doesn't mean they have to convert.
 
It's one of the biggest 24 hour tourist attractions in NYC.

No it's not. Stop making things up. You cannot compare a store to a tourist attraction, its a store. And the reason why there are so many people sitting around next to it, is because its the only place on 5th ave where you can easily sit down and eat (except central park),
 
Whiners:

YES, they patented a glass cube, and they're not going to UN-patent it to please you. Jealous? You should be pleased for them - it's an amazing design. Get over it and enjoy your day.

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I remember when I first saw it, I was like "So where's all the stuff?"

Me too :D
 
No it's not. Stop making things up. You cannot compare a store to a tourist attraction, its a store. And the reason why there are so many people sitting around next to it, is because its the only place on 5th ave where you can easily sit down and eat (except central park),

Umm, I've visited that store, and there are usually a bunch of tourists there, taking pictures of it, and of themselves around it. Not sure what you call a tourist attraction, but that seems to fit the definition.
 
It's such a cool store.

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No it's not. Stop making things up. You cannot compare a store to a tourist attraction, its a store. And the reason why there are so many people sitting around next to it, is because its the only place on 5th ave where you can easily sit down and eat (except central park),

According to Forbes, it's the most photographed site in NYC.
 
No it's not. Stop making things up. You cannot compare a store to a tourist attraction, its a store. And the reason why there are so many people sitting around next to it, is because its the only place on 5th ave where you can easily sit down and eat (except central park),

It sure is.

It's one of the most iconic places in NYC, and every tourist wants to see the cube, and go into (under) it.
Also, the location is a near perfect spot for tourists.

BTW, it's not about comparing a store to a tourist attraction, it's about being one.
Just like Nou Camp in Barcelona, not all tourist attractions have historic value etc.
 
No it's not. Stop making things up. You cannot compare a store to a tourist attraction, its a store. And the reason why there are so many people sitting around next to it, is because its the only place on 5th ave where you can easily sit down and eat (except central park),

The Empire State Building is just an office building. So is the Chrysler Building, and so was the late WTC; and Macy's Herald Square is just a store.

Seriously: two of the main things tourists do in a city is stare at the amazing architecture, and shop at iconic stores.
 
I wonder if the architect and engineer had a say in Apple's patenting the cube? Or did Apple hire all their own architects and engineers the way they recently hired their own advertising employees?

But the cube may be a first for being a cube, but it is not a first for a glass structure as an entrance. Look at IM Pei's glass entrance to the Louvre.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre_Pyramid
 
The decision comes four years after Apple applied for a trademark related to the store's design, which is still currently pending. The panted granted...

I don't know. Did you read it?

From the article:
The decision comes four years after Apple applied for a trademark related to the store's design, which is still currently pending. The panted granted today was originally filed on October 15, 2012 and credits eight inventors including former Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

Yes, they misspelled the word 'patent'. However, 'trademark' (which you also called out) is spelled correctly. There's no conflict between the mention of the trademark filing and the patent issuance, though so I'm not sure quite where you're going with your post.
 
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