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Supreme Court sides with Samsung over Apple patent penalty
The Supreme Court ruled that Samsung's violation of design patents made by Apple can only involve components, not entire products. This could mean a severely reduced penalty that the Korean company will have to pay... and a rare bit of good news for the troubled company.
Calvin Klein thinks Apple was paid fairly in Samsung patent case
The exhausting brawl between Apple and Samsung over patents simply refuses to die the horrible, gruesome death it deserves. Samsung is the more bloodied, you may recall, having paid Apple a $548 million settlement for violating a bunch of patents (not that Cupertino is done squeezing money from the Korean company). That big payout is due to be reviewed and potentially reduced by the US Supreme Court, however, with Samsung arguing it shouldn't have had to hand over every cent of profit it made on devices that were found to specifically infringe Apple design patents. Naturally, Apple disagrees, and now it's got none other than Calvin Klein fighting in its corner.
BlackBerry awarded design patent for portrait QWERTY slider, could be a BB10 Torch
Could BlackBerry be prepping a return to slider form for future BB10 hardware? From the looks of this recently awarded design patent, we'd be willing to wager the Waterloo-based outfit's seriously considering it. The USPTO doc, initially filed back in December 2011, is as plain as they come, outlining a multi-perspective design for a handheld electronic device that looks to be a combo of the Z10's all-touch candybar aesthetic with a physical QWERTY keyboard hiding underneath à la the Torch series. With BB diehards about to get a first taste of the Q10's more traditional design, it's reasonable to assume that a portrait QWERTY slider's next up on the 2013 horizon. And with the company's annual showcase, now renamed BB Live, set for mid-May, it's likely we'll be hearing about the next phase of BB10's portfolio and potentially this prospective gem in particular.
Apple awarded glass-on-metal trackpad design patent
The next time you sit down at an aluminum unibody MacBook and glide your finger atop the trackpad, you can take pride in knowing that the design of that trackpad has been issued a patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Design patent D674382 was published today under the rather mundane title "Portable computer" and is for the "ornamental design for a portable computer." Other than a group of drawings showing that the patent is for the trackpad and no other element of the MacBook design, there's not a lot of detail. Probably the most notable feature of the design patent document is that it includes two very familiar names in the list of inventors: Jonathan P. Ive and Steve Jobs. The design patent has a life of 14 years, and is associated with a string of application continuations starting in 2008.
Apple granted new patent for original iPad design
We already know what some of you are thinking, but that doesn't change the reality on the ground: Apple has been granted a design claim patent for a "portable display device" that looks a whole lot like the original iPad. Filed just a day before the big reveal in 2010, it's both specific to the tablet and cites additional references dating as far back as the early 1990s. The claim likewise includes elements that transpired between the filing and the granted date, such as a certain legal squabble that carries on to this day. While we can't say we're enthusiastic for what might follow from the patent becoming official -- we know Samsung isn't, despite victories in the tablet space -- it does give Apple one more tool for arguing that its total iPad design is unique, not just the individual components.
Google nabs design patent for left-eyed Google Glass, frees southpaws from tyranny
No more shall lefties wanting Google Glass toil under the oppression of right-handed overlords. Not if Google's newly granted design patent is an indication, at any rate. The filing simply puts the eyepiece on the other side for those who are either naturally left-inclined or just that much opposed to the optical status quo. There's no guarantee Google will be so accommodating when Glass reaches the general public, although we're hopeful: when early adopters are already paying a small fortune to leap in, it wouldn't hurt to produce a batch for left eye use and give the more committed southpaws among us the freedom they've craved since Google I/O.
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit tells Judge Koh to revisit Galaxy Tab 10.1 injunction
One of the hallmarks of the US judicial system is its seemingly inexhaustible system of appeals -- a system for which Samsung is likely most grateful at the moment. Its earlier entreaty to Judge Lucy Koh to have the Galaxy Tab 10.1 preliminary injunction lifted may have been denied, but the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is giving the Korean company another bite at the Apple. That court has granted Samsung's request to have the injunction issue remanded so that the trial court can re-consider Samsung's motion to dissolve it. The ruling enables Samsung to argue that the injunction should be lifted because the jury failed to find infringement of the tablet design patent upon which the injunction is based. Will Judge Koh lift the ban? Perhaps, but we're pretty sure that the crowd from Cupertino will be doing plenty to prevent that from happening. Stay tuned.
Samsung's defense against Apple patents begins with DiamondTouch table, LiveTile UI prior art
Samsung may have convinced Judge Koh to toss a few international handsets out of Apple's lawsuit, but the Korean firm still has Cupertino's patent licensing accusations to contend with. Their tactic? Convince the court that Apple's claim to the inventions are invalid, and that the technology was developed prior to the disputed patent's filing. It's called showing "prior art," and Sammy's done it before -- famously showing a scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey in an attempt to put Apple's iPad design claims to rest. Today's examples were more grounded in reality, focusing on debunking Cupertino's claim to the "bounce back" effect that happens when a user reaches the end of a page and common multitouch zoom / navigation gestures. Samsung pitted the famous "bounce back" feature against an old PocketPC interface called LaunchTile, which allowed users to navigate through 36 applications by zooming in and out and a panning across a grid-like "world view" of said apps. Movement between grids snap to each zone, marking the end of a page. Apple shot back, noting that LiveTile's snapping navigation didn't work on diagonals, and cited other differences as well. Samsung wasn't deterred, however, and brought out DiamondTouch, a projector based multitouch table that utilized both one touch scrolling and pinch-based zoom gestures. The table even takes aim at the aforementioned bounce-back patent with a technology called TableCloth, which bounces back images that are pulled off screen. DiamondTouch's creator, Adam Bogue, told the court that he had demoed the technology to Apple privately back in 2003, noting that it was also available to anyone who visited the Mitsubishi Electronic Research Laboratories' lobby. If the jury takes to Samsung's claims of prior art, it could severely cut Apple's claims against it. Even so, Cupertino's lawyers aren't going down without a fight, and still have a number of navigation and design claims that Samsung hasn't addressed. The two parties are expected to keep up the fight for about a week, we'll keep you posted on the inevitable revelations as they come.
Microsoft licensed design patents at issue in Apple v. Samsung, Surface lovers breathe sigh of relief
Last week, we found out about Apple's offer to license a bundle of IP -- including its iPhone and iPad design patents -- to Samsung back in 2010. Today, Reuters reports that Apple proposed a similar deal to Microsoft, and the folks in Redmond took them up on the offer. Details of the license itself are scarce, but the deal did, naturally, include an provision expressly prohibiting iDevice copies. So, for folks figuring that Microsoft might face a litigious future similar to Samsung's, think again. Looks like Ballmer and friends had the foresight to buy the rights to those rounded corners, edge-to-edge glass and black bezels on their forthcoming Surface tablets.
German court dismisses Apple design claim against Motorola Xoom
A German court has ruled that Motorola's Xoom tablet does not infringe on Apple's patents, says an Associated Press report. In its case, Apple argued that the design of the Motorola Xoom too closely resembled the Apple iPad. A judge did not agree with Apple and ruled against this claim. It was a no-win situation for both companies as the judge also dismissed a counter-suit by Motorola. In its suit, Motorola claimed that Apple's design patent for the iPad is invalid. In the end, Apple shouldn't be overly disappointed. It can't ban the Xoom, but its design patent remains intact. As it stands, the two companies will share in the court costs as neither party was victorious. Both companies have 30 days to appeal these rulings.
Apple snags broader design patent for the MacBook Air's wedge shape
It's not the first design patent related to the MacBook Air that Apple has received, but the one it managed to obtain from the USPTO earlier this week is certainly the broadest to date. As explained by The Verge, this one is intended to cover the laptop's distinctive wedge shape, or what's indicated by the solid lines in the illustrations included with the patent. That doesn't include things like the hinge, rear or sides of the device, but it would appear to give Apple some fairly solid ground to stand on should it choose to go after other laptop manufacturers using a "substantially similar" wedge shape (regardless of any other differences). Those interested can examine the full patent at the link below.
Those suave Google glasses are now patent-protected
Google has successfully patented the "ornamental design" of its augmented reality eyewear. To you, me and Aunty Dee they might look almost like regular Ray-Bans, but there's a lot of secret technology concealed within those sleek lines and Google evidently wants to prevent others from copying their appearance. After all, if people started faking Project Glass, it'd be impossible to tell if we're being properly scanned or merely checked out.
Apple alleges more Samsung IP infringement in Oz over copycat tablet and phone cases
In case you hadn't heard, relations between Apple and Samsung aren't exactly peachy keen these days. Their global legal conflict has been particularly fierce in the land down under, and it seems Apple just poured a bit more gas on the fire by alleging that Sammy's infringing its designs for tablet and phone cases. According to Bloomberg, Cupertino informed the Australian court of its latest legal allegations in a hearing in which it was attempting to push back the case's March trial date. Apple's already issued a notice of this newly alleged infringement to the Korean company, and a statement of its new claims is forthcoming, so details of the infringed-upon IP aren't yet available. What we do know is that it looks like Samsung's attorneys in Oz just got a lot more work to do over the holidays.
Victory in Valencia: Android tablet maker gets Apple's iPad design lawsuit dismissed in Spain
Apple's taken its war on Android around the world and has won several battles recently, but the latest news from Spain isn't so rosy for Cupertino. Last year, Apple filed suit against Spanish firm NT-K, alleging it was infringing Apple's iPad design-related IP. Shortly thereafter, Apple scored a customs ban on NT-K's tablets, but yesterday a Spanish court decided to dismiss Apple's legal complaint and set NT-K's Gingerbread slates free. Victory in hand, the company plans to pursue a civil suit against Apple for damages caused by the ban. Score one for the green bot army, let's see if Samsung and HTC can follow their fellow Android OEM to the courtroom winner's circle.
Apple awarded design patent for iPhone 4
Apple could probably plaster most of its Cupertino campus with patents and patent applications if it wanted to, but we're guessing there's few that make it more happy than a design patent for a flagship device -- like the iPhone 4. That's now been granted a year after the company filed the application, which details the "ornamental design for an electronic device with graphical user interface" in words and pictures. What's more, Apple's now also finally snagged a design patent for the 2007 iPod touch, and it's picked up a few other patents related to iTunes, Apple TV, and one for a "touch screen RFID tag reader." Hit up the link below for a closer look at those.
Nokia collects design patent for a tablet, evokes N8 aesthetics (update: there's another one!)
It's no secret that Nokia's been casting an interested eye over the tablet market and now we have a bit of extra evidence to show its intent, courtesy of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The federal bureau has just published a design patent granted to the Finnish company for a tablet device, which was applied for on May 28th, 2010. Sadly, that date tells us what we're looking at is most probably a shelved MeeGo machine that never made it to market rather than an upcoming world conqueror, but still, here it is for all of us to gawk at and admire. Judging by the 3.5mm headphone jack outline -- which, like the rest of the dotted lines on the sketch, isn't covered by the patent -- we're likely looking at a 9- or 10-inch slate, whose design reminds us most acutely of Nokia's N8 phone. See more pics in the gallery below before returning to your mind cave to fantasize about what might have been... or might still be. Update: Electronista notes that Nokia's filed for and received the rights to a second tablet design patent, this one eschewing the N8 inspiration for a more generic shape. See it pictured after the break or at the second link below. [Thanks, Pradeep] %Gallery-119124%
Apple granted design patent for iPhone 3G, 3GS
Hot on the heels of the "ornamental design" patent covering its original iPhone and iPod touch, we've got a second USPTO patent granted to Apple covering what looks to be the more curvaceous iPhone 3G and 3GS. Jonathan P. Ive and Steve Jobs are among the inventors credited with the usual list of references including the LG KE850 Prada and Meizu M8 look-a-like devices. Don't get too hung up on the missing "home" button -- a US design patent covers any device "substantially similar" to the images above. What that means only a judge can say.
Apple granted design patent for original iPhone, iPod touch
Apple may have enough patents and patent applications to wallpaper its entire Cupertino campus, but we're guessing this is one it's been especially eager to get: a design patent for the original iPhone and iPod touch. That, of course, covers the "ornamental design" of the devices and not their functionality, which means that any other devices that look a little too similar are now treading on even more dangerous territory than before. As with other Apple patents, you'll find Jonathan P. Ives and Steve (no "P") Jobs listed among the fourteen inventors, and you'll also find plenty of references to earlier patents and other relevant devices -- including a pointer to none other than one of our posts on the infamous Meizu M8. [Thanks, Fabian]
Amazon awarded design patent for Kindle v1, not that anyone would infringe
It's been a few years since the original Kindle was unearthed within the murky blue bowels of the FCC. In that time, Amazon's created a nice little side-business with heaps of critical acclaim. So let's be honest now, there's no point in being nice anymore: the first generation Kindle design was unpleasant, atrocious even, cause for shoegazing Parsons' hipsters with asymmetrical haircuts to bemoan the end of aesthetics while cruelly tracing the Kindle's angular edges across their wrists. Yesterday, Amazon received a US design patent for said Kindle. In a one-line statement, patent D591,741 gives Amazon claim to, "The ornamental design for an electronic media reader, as shown and described." In other words, it says nothing about the underlying technology while giving Amazon, and only Amazon, claim to this particular geometrical configuration for time immemorial. Thank you for that Jeff Bezos.[Via All Things Digital]Read -- Patent D591,741Read -- InformationWeek
