Quote:
Originally Posted by
Shpongle 
Quote:
Originally Posted by
B-rock 
The patents everyone talks about
Patent Number/Title
- 5,946,647 (the “’647 Patent”) - System and method for performing an action on a structure in computer-generated data
- 6,847,959 (the “’959 Patent”) - Universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system
- 8,046,721 (the “’721 Patent”) - Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image
- 8,074,172 (the “’172 Patent”) - Method, system, and graphical user interface for providing word recommendations
- 8,014,760 (the “’760 Patent”) - Missed telephone call management for a portable multifunction device
- 5,666,502 (the “’502 Patent”) - Graphical user interface using historical lists with field classes
- 7,761,414 (the “’414 Patent”) - Asynchronous data synchronization amongst devices
- 8,086,604 (the “’604 Patent”) - Universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system
You're not suffering in any way Apple...
That's it.
I quit.
All of my hope in humanity just vanished after reading "System and method for performing an action on a structure in computer-generated data" and "Missed telephone call management for a portable multifunction device". Seriously could that first one be any more vague, and is the second one not one of the most basic functions of a cell phone? AFAIK every cell phone has a system to let you know who called and when. Does the iPhone have some sort of magical system that's totally and completely different from every other company's methods?
I can't wait until all of these *flavor word* patents to expire so technology can continue to progress.
/end rant.
That is just the description of the patent, the actual meat of the patent is a lot more words, but probably just as vague.
Seriously, how can you patent broad actions? The code should be copywritten, but saying "
being able to do things with recognizable numbers/addresses" is ridiculous. First of all, smartphones are a type of computer, and computers have been doing that for ages. The idea is not new.
Second of all, how does this happen?
1. Company A takes idea that already exists, adds to it (other ideas that already exist) to make it better. Gets a patent for the "look and feel" of basically the pool of ideas brought together into a device.
2. Company B takes idea that already exists, adds to it (other ideas that already exist) to make it better. Gets sued by company A.