Apple Patented Multi-Touch?

[kdarling]

Thanks. That clears up a lot for me. Who is the patent attorney? I would like to read his thoughts on the Apple/ HTC/ Nokia/ Kodak lawsuit matter. Hopefully Apple wins at least a few of these...

You're welcome. Thank you for being so polite. Look up posts by cmaier.

Really, are you serious?

The patents are about power conservation, internal OS structuring, and a few minor touch items. What did you think they're about?

You did remind me that one is about using slide to unlock (which at least one other phone did back in 2002). I actually think HTC originally "violated" that one... at least before it was granted. Then they switched to a different slide method.

HTC and Google copied almost all 's technologies and ideas.

And what do you think those are?

I also suspect some of Apple's own patents may be challenged for their legitimacy just as Apple is challenging other patents.

+1 That's one reason so many are used at once in a suit. Statistically speaking, almost a half of disputed patents have been invalidated since 1990. (And about half of those were reinstated later.)

Even though Apple wasn't the first to come up with the idea but weren't they the first to patent it?

You can't patent something that you didn't invent, and you can't patent something that is already known.

 

[pooryou]

Here's a detailed overview on Multitouch
http://www.billbuxton.com/multitouchOverview.html
Beware potential Microsoft bias though..

 

[kdarling]

Here's a detailed overview on Multitouch
http://www.billbuxton.com/multitouchOverview.html
Beware potential Microsoft bias though..

Wouldn't worry about that. Buxton is also pointed out by Bruce Tognazzini, who's a rather well known Apple UI personage:

http://www.asktog.com/columns/070iPhoneFirstLook.html

Tog also points out that he used "the pinch" in his 1993 Sun future visions project.

 

[SimonTheSoundMa]

That's a trademark, which has *nothing* to do with patents!

A trademark identifies the sources of goods or services. A name, logo, etc.

A patent is an exclusive right to use of an invention. Not the same thing at all.

Knowing how broken the patent system is in the USA, I wouldn't be surprised if a name could get patented.

If a company want to implement multi-touch the same way as Apple, there is nothing stopping Apple licensing out the implementation, at a fair price of course.

 

[Apple...]

You're welcome. Thank you for being so polite. Look up posts by cmaier.

Thanks again. I'll make sure to do that. By the way, what do you think of all the Apple vs. ____ lawsuits? Which company do you think will win what?

Whoa... lots of 'w' words in that last sentence. Alliteration!

 

[Ars Diaboli]

Most of these suits are brought because of business tactics. Most companies know that the litigation is expensive and a settlement us usually easier to reach, so Apple will swat them with some cash. It really is a bloodless technique for the plaintiff, just make sure it some merit, even if questionable and the target usually coughs up some dough to make the problem go away. Most companies do this slow down a competitor or just make a grab at there cash.

Every now and then, though, you will see a legitimate case brought from real intellectual property theft. That's why Apple is probably going to win against Gawker. They don't have much to lose. The HTC/Apple will probably be a small decision and Android/HTC will have already changed the offending nature before the case is even decided.

Don't have a clue about the Kodak issue.

Another point is that these large technology companies are sued every other day by patent troll companies (it seems like it anyway).