Apple Trademarking 'Multi-touch'

[Much Ado]

What's all this got to do with Apple? Stifling innovation, that's what. Block the little building block parts so the bigger picture can't be made by others.

What?

I...what?

They trademarked a NAME. That is not stifling innovation! This is not a patent.

Look, i can think up my own names on the spot:
Touch
Connect
Impact
Powertouch

When Apple trademarked MacBook Pro, they were not stifling the laptop industry.

/rant.

 

[stevehayter]

Wouldn't it be cheaper and simpler to just use RFID? the MS solution is actually cumbersome and potentially error prone.

But that would limit any functionality to objects that have RFIDs.

For example, I could walk into a store and place a t-shirt my friend has on the counter. The surface technology, as I understand it, could 'scan' (its the only word I can think of using with the lack of sleep i've had) it, and tell me whether it's stocked, or provide suggestions for alternatives.

It's not the best analogy, but it gets the point across.

Edit: Just checked out Wikipedia, and it uses the glass example. In a restaurant, a wine glass could be put down, and the table/display could provide a list of wines. This is what Microsoft is trying to achieve with the technology.

Yes, this could be done with RFID, but it is kind of limiting.

 

[theveeb]

It shows "Live", which I guess means active. How do you see if it is granted?

"Live" means it's an active filing/registration within the PTO, not "dead" (e.g., abandoned, rejected).

On the initial search results list in TESS the 2nd column will have a registration number if the trademark has been granted/registered. On the page for the specific filing there will be an entry for Registration Number and Registration Date once registered. Prior to registration the trademark will be published for opposition. This would be a point where Buxton, Han, etc. could oppose the trademark if they chose to. Prior to that the PTO could refuse the registration for being merely descriptive.

From PTO glossary: http://www.uspto.gov/main/glossary/index.html
"A mark is considered merely descriptive if it describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic, function, feature, purpose or use of the specified goods or services. If a mark is merely descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive of the goods or services to which it relates, the mark will be refused registration on the Principal Register under §2(e)(1) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1).

Examples of descriptive marks include: MEDICAL GUIDE for website services featuring medical guides, DENIM for jeans, and SPICY SAUCE for salsa."

 

[pieman02]

Well if Apple doesn't, someone else will...

And I know I am not talking about trademarks here, but when Apple said they had over 200 patents on the iPhone or whatever, does anyone has any clue on the kinda stuff they patented? Surely they can't patent multitouch itself, as its been around for a while, and Apple didn't even create it...

 

[Maccus Aurelius]

I hold the patent to the MacRumors name. Arn, you'll be hearing from my lawyer in a couple of months (I'm lazy). 😛

Anyway, I don't see the big complaint about Apple trying to trademark a name. I think it's pretty obvious that the general public is going to be more aware of the technology through the iPhone than anything else.

 

[MacNut]

While not much, this is what "Wiki" has to say.
Multi-touch

Multi-touch has at least a 25 year history, beginning in 1982, with pioneering work being done at the University of Toronto (multi-touch tablets) and Bell Labs (multi-touch screens).

 

[Kwill]

IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Handheld mobile digital electronic devices with electronic mail, digital data transmission, audio player, video player, handheld computer, personal digital assistant, electronic organizer, electronic notepad, telephone, computer gaming, and camera functions, and computer software for use with such devices

Seems to exclude desktop computers and their monitors. Specifically mentions "handheld mobile digital electronic devices" and "handheld computer." Sorry iMac. 🙁

 

[Kwill]

From PTO glossary: http://www.uspto.gov/main/glossary/index.html
"A mark is considered merely descriptive if it describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic, function, feature, purpose or use of the specified goods or services. If a mark is merely descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive of the goods or services to which it relates, the mark will be refused registration on the Principal Register under §2(e)(1) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1).

Examples of descriptive marks include: MEDICAL GUIDE for website services featuring medical guides, DENIM for jeans, and SPICY SAUCE for salsa."

"Multi-touch" is pretty much dead in the water. Nice try though. There are more creative terms that can be coined from the "Calamari" commercial.

 

[MikeTheC]

Hate to say it, but if we're talking about multi-touch, I'd just as soon touch something other than a computer, thank you very much! 🙂

Seriously, I hope it all works out.

 

[steve jr.]

What?

Look, i can think up my own names on the spot:
Touch
Connect
Impact
Powertouch

You owe Impact of McKinley Senior High School, a funded project under the KnowledgeWorks Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and The Ohio High School Transformation Initiative - transforming Ohio's public schools from a one-size-fits-all education system into schools where respect for the individual is paramount, and every child is considered "college material." - $15,000 for using the Impact brand/name without proper authorizaion.





Gotcha 😉 😀 j/k obviously

- Steve

 

[Much Ado]

Gotcha 😉 😀 j/k obviously

- Steve

Good spot 😉

Although i think 'Impact' within the confines of an electronic device input system is still allowed under trademark.

 

[BKKbill]

What?

I...what?

They trademarked a NAME. That is not stifling innovation! This is not a patent.

Look, i can think up my own names on the spot:
Touch
Connect
Impact
Powertouch

When Apple trademarked MacBook Pro, they were not stifling the laptop industry.

/rant.

Apple has iGesture they got it when Fingerworks was bought roughly 2 years ago. They used to create and sell keyboards with gesture-recognizing touchpads. http://www.fingerworks.com/

 

[SiliconAddict]

This will be overturned. There is simply no way in heck such a basic concept could or should be held by one company. I mean using 2 or more fingers to interact with a screen is NOT a new concept. I mean while Apple's at it why don't they trademark a braking system on a car that isn't binary as in on or off?
It really is stupid, and I will be the first one t call fanboy on anyone who defends Apple on this. No one be it Apple, Microsoft, Nokia, Toshiba or anyone else should be able to get this patent.

 

[rhedpixel]

Pixar Multi-Touch

Well... Sort of

http://www.rastervector.com/files/Pixar_Touch.html

No flames for bad joke please (I think its funny)

 

[seelab]

The iBar is a really nice multi-touch technology. I can't wait to see more of this technology.