What about the multi-touch patent?

[Stormbringer]

I'm sorry if I missed it, but I don't hear anything lately about Apple's patent on multi-touch. They've sued Palm for using it on the Pre, and now Android seems to use it too (I thought they were "friends" with Google): link

Has anyone any info on this?

 

[MBHockey]

When did Apple sue Palm for multitouch?

If Apple's patents on multitouch are that comprehensive, I would think they'd simply require a licensing fee from Palm.

Patents are a tricky business.

 

[bfc]

http://gizmodo.com/5142445/dissecting-apples-multitouch-patent-can-it-stop-palm

Is a good summary...

Apple is not suing Palm yet, who knows if they ever will, Palm has a good stable of it's own patents that they can attack Apple with.

 

[MBHockey]

http://gizmodo.com/5142445/dissecting-apples-multitouch-patent-can-it-stop-palm

Is a good summary...

Apple is not suing Palm yet, who knows if they ever will, Palm has a good stable of it's own patents that they can attack Apple with.

Meh. Patent law professors are nearly useless for real-world situations. Sure they can wax philosophical about the theory behind patent law, but that isn't as relevant as the opinion of practicing patent attorney familiar with both Palm and Apple's patent portfolios.

(I was a patent examiner for a year down in VA.)

 

[bruinsrme]

what would apple gain by suing? Other than far more negative attention as being a bully. I would think apple would need to be wise in legal dealings as they are not a small company and if they start suing companies not as financially strong the may draw attention and be accused of stiffling competition

 

[Stormbringer]

Sorry for the wrong statement, I thought they were suing Palm already.

But what I understand from that Gizmodo link, in one sentence: "as longs as you do not copy a patent excactly, your're safe." Right?