So I'd assume soon a lawsuit will show up over the infringement of a patent that reads like: "A device or program, to... you know... do stuff."

If slide-to-unlock wasn't the result of innovative genius, then why wasn't it around years ago? Because the problems it solves weren't. Problem: You are carrying a touch-screen device in your pocket, and need to be able to activate it easily. [/quote]
have you seen a psp? & no doubt many other prior devices that fit in pockets
its a game device that you carry around in your pocket
how do you tun it on/lock it
you slide a little switch


edit - it seems the iphone wasnt even the first touchscreen phone to have slide to lock, this was (a year before the release of the iphone, perhaps they can sue apple for nicking slide to lock)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonode#N1m

Disgusting behaviour. And the problem with Apple is they aren't simply happy to settle, but it often ends up that other companies aren't able to license it at all. So you get to situations like no one being able to make magnetic power connectors, or that I can't buy a Samsung Galaxy tablet.

Personally I wish that someone would do the same back to them - Nokia sit on a tonne of patents (and actual patents, not rubbish like this, that's fundamental to phone and smartphone technology). Apple would be dead in mobile technology if Nokia pulled the rug from under them, and refused to licence.

A virtual implementation of an existing physical invention is not patent worthy.

And you don't even have to look at physical locks - my Nokia 5800 smartphone unlocks with a physical swipe on the side.

If this is the level for patents now, maybe people just need to start writing apps that cover swipes for all kinds of basic features.

Apple really isn't unique in this, Microsoft files for several thousand patents per year (Which should imply that they make tens or even hundreds of real inventions per day), IBM and other big companies are doing the same, the US patent system pretty much forces companies into this behaviour. (Some are more likely to use their patents aggressivly than others though)

Apple weren't the first to do dumb patents, but they popularised it, or were the first to do it really dumb...? ;)

Really though - for all the claims that Apple revolutionise any market they enter, and the claims that technology wouldn't progress without them, it's clear their behaviour is on the contrary going to end up stifling progress in phones and tablets.

Im suprised graphics techniques have not been patented yet. I mean after this, then what other hope do we have. The progress of man kind is going to hell.

They have - Carmack's Reverse was patented by Creative, see http://en.wikipedia....lume#Depth_fail .

but they popularised it[/quote]
Apple is the last to join this game.

Microsoft earns more from Android licensing than it does from Windows Phone product line. They are licensing GNU/Linux kernel. You know: "it's a nice little device you got there.. would be a shame if a linked list patent landed on it and broke its knees... "

Personally I wish that someone would do the same back to them[/quote]

Apple has $81 billion in cash, besides everything else. That's GDP of Iraq.

but they popularised it

Apple is the last to join this game.

Microsoft earns more from Android licensing than it does from Windows Phone product line. They are licensing GNU/Linux kernel. You know: "it's a nice little device you got there.. would be a shame if a linked list patent landed on it and broke its knees... "[/quote]Maybe, I was just parodying the typical Apple fan "Apple were first" line ;) (And "But Officer, Microsoft do it too" isn't exactly a ringing endorsement, given how MS are viewed - on the contrary, I'd say it proves the point that Apple are just as bad.)

Also note, "licensing". Whilst many patents are flawed in principle (and should rightly be criticised), I note that Apple take this to a whole new level by preventing products from being available. Imagine if Microsoft suddenly got Android pulled?

Personally I wish that someone would do the same back to them[/quote]

Apple has $81 billion in cash, besides everything else. That's BDP of Iraq.
[/quote]Indeed lots of multinationals have lots of money (though the recent comparison to the US Government was a rather flawed press release masquerading as news) - I'm not sure how you mean here? Yes, Apple are a greedy bloated company - tactics like this help them get that way. All the more reason why I wish other companies would do it back to them, rather than playing nice with them.

All the more reason why I wish other companies would do it back to them, rather than playing nice with them.

Here.

Apple could afford to go toe to toe with any of them and all it would need to do is drag the court battles out long enough until the rest spend all the money - while Apple would still have plenty of cash reserves left.

Only government regulation can solve these issues. A very unpopular solution.

Im suprised graphics techniques have not been patented yet.

You mean like marching cubes?

Here.

Apple could afford to go toe to toe with any of them and all it would need to do is drag the court battles out long enough until the rest spend all the money - while Apple would still have plenty of cash reserves left.

Only government regulation can solve these issues. A very unpopular solution.

This reminds me of "Flash of Genius"; I agree with the general sentiment. It's even worse when it's just an individual, not a corporation that can at least present some sort of fiscal harm to another corporation. Individuals can pretty much be tied up in court until they die.

[quote name='mdwh' timestamp='1320070619' post='4878893'] All the more reason why I wish other companies would do it back to them, rather than playing nice with them.

Here. Apple could afford to go toe to toe with any of them and all it would need to do is drag the court battles out long enough until the rest spend all the money - while Apple would still have plenty of cash reserves left. Only government regulation can solve these issues. A very unpopular solution. [/quote]Oh, I do agree it's a very unpopular situation, and they are behaving like the new Microsoft - bullying, and would rather rely on their large cash reserves to bully or buy out the competition would be just like what people used to dislike MS for. But having enough money to buy out the competition doesn't mean they can, if Nokia do not approve. Google already bought out Motorola's phone division - maybe Microsoft will snap up Nokia if anything, what with the WP relationship they now have with them. Also, Nokia do engage in patent battles with Apple - the issue isn't that Apple ignore them, they do after all pay Nokia loyalties. Having more cash doesn't necessarily mean you win even when you're in clear violation. Don't get me wrong, I can see it being better for Nokia etc to just take the money from Apple, but that doesn't stop me wishing that they'd pull the plug on Apple's use of their patents (And as an added bonus, it'd wipe the smugness from IPhone worshippers who think Apple invented everything.)

heh, I do love Apple.

"wah! everyone steals our ideas!"
... releases iOS5....
"Look at our new shine notification system you can get to with a down swipe! Isn't it new and cool!"
Every Android phone user; "wait... wut? you mean the thing we've had for ages?"

*face desk*