Tag Archive | "patents"
Lodsys patents at issue in iOS patent trolling “case” set to expire in August 2012 – Report
In the latest example of patent trolling, a company called Lodsys last week began sending out letters to independent iOS app developers asking them to licensing “patented” technology under the implied threat of litigation. The patent in question – US Pat. No. 7,222,078 – covers “methods and systems for gathering information from units of a commodity […]
Continue reading...Lodsys addresses iOS in-app purchasing patent case
Monday, May 16, 2011
Last week, a heretofore unknown company named Lodsys sent FedEx packages to a number of independent iOS developers informing them that their use of in-app purchasing infringed on valid patents they owned. The thrust of the letter was to open up licensing negotiations. And though not explicitly stated, it more or less implied – “Strike […]
Continue reading...Is Nathan Myhrovld’s Intellectual Ventures behind the iOS in-app purchase patent troll job?
Friday, May 13, 2011
By Josh Rosenthall: It’s been confirmed today that a company called Lodsys recently sent out a number of letters to independent iOS developers, including James Thompson – the developer of PCalc – and Dave Castelnuovo, creator of Pocket God , informing them that their use of in-app purchases in iOS infringes upon on this particular […]
Continue reading...Apple patent describes keyboard with proximity sensors and air vents
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Comments Off on Apple patent describes keyboard with proximity sensors and air vents
A recently discovered patent application from Apple shows that Apple is exploring some interesting ideas with respect to keyboard design. Acknowledging that tactile feedback becomes less prominent as keyboards become smaller and thinner, the patent in question describes a mechanism by which users would be able to feel the keys before actually striking them via […]
Continue reading...Apple wins: Judge reverses $625.5 million patent judgement previously awarded to Mirror Worlds
Monday, April 4, 2011
A federal judge today reversed a $625.5 million judgement against Apple in a patent infringement lawsuit pertaining to Apple’s Cover Flow feature. The lawsuit was filed by Mirror Worlds, a company founded by Yale professor Dave Gelertner. “Mirror Worlds may have painted an appealing picture for the jury, but it failed to lay a solid […]
Continue reading...Apple patent describes graphical implementation of contact lists for the iPhone
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Comments Off on Apple patent describes graphical implementation of contact lists for the iPhone
A new patent filing unearthed by AppleInsider last week suggests that Apple is exploring ways to improve browsing through and selecting contacts on the iPhone. In a patent titled “Segmented Graphical Representations for Recommending Elements”, Apple describes a more graphically engaging way for users to navigate through their list of contacts.
Continue reading...Apple granted EU patents on 24 iOS icon designs
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Comments Off on Apple granted EU patents on 24 iOS icon designs
Patently Apple reports that the EU recently granted Apple patents for 24 iOS icon designs. The granted patents include icon designs for apps including calculator, iBooks, Keynote, Numbers, World CLock, Maps + Compass, iPod, Notes, Contacts, Voice Memos, Photos, MobileMe, YouTube, Settings, Weather, Stocks, AirPrint, Find My iPhone, and more. The patent application was originally […]
Continue reading...Patent filing shows Apple’s interest in smaller audio jacks
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Comments Off on Patent filing shows Apple’s interest in smaller audio jacks
One of the universal themes evident in the progression of Apple products is the company’s arguable obsession with thinness. From the introduction of the very first iPod, which Apple CEO Steve Jobs proudly boasted was as thin as a deck of playing cards, Apple’s entire product line has gotten thinner and thinner. From the iMac […]
Continue reading...IBM assigned 5,000+ patents in 2010; Apple’s patent throughput up 94% in 2010
Monday, February 7, 2011
Comments Off on IBM assigned 5,000+ patents in 2010; Apple’s patent throughput up 94% in 2010
With the tech landscape as competitive as ever, companies are increasingly resorting to litigation to protect their business and ward of competitive threats. In doing so, having a strong patent portfolio is essential. Indeed, it’s widely believed that Apple specifically went after HTC is because their patent portfolio is noticeably thin. Moreover, Oracle’s current patent […]
Continue reading...Jonathan Mann sings “The Apple Patent Song”
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Comments Off on Jonathan Mann sings “The Apple Patent Song”
Though not as good as the iPhone 4 antenna song, Jonathan Mann’s latest effort, titled The Apple Patent Song is still worth checking out.
Continue reading...Apple patent describes MagicMouse with touchscreen display
Monday, January 24, 2011
Comments Off on Apple patent describes MagicMouse with touchscreen display
Always looking to innovate in any way it can, a recent patent filing from Apple reveals that the company is exploring the possibility of expanding the functionality of its MagicMouse. In a patent application initially discovered by AppleInsider, and titled Computer Input Device Including a Display Device, the patent includes an illustration of a mouse […]
Continue reading...Apple granted first Liquidmetal patent
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Comments Off on Apple granted first Liquidmetal patent
2 weeks ago, Cult of Mac reported: Apple has been granted its first patent related to Liquidmetal, a space-age metal alloy. But the patent isn’t for a new iPad enclosure or iPhone antenna, as experts have predicted. Instead Apple’s Liquidmetal patent is for an internal component of a fuel cell. Apple’s new patent describes “amorphous […]
Continue reading...
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Comments Off on Lodsys patents at issue in iOS patent trolling “case” set to expire in August 2012 – Report