The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 22 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. The most interesting patent came to us as a complete surprise this morning as it wasn't originally covered. More than likely, the patent was filed in a way so as to escape the regular channels. The good news is that this patent advances Apple's new antenna system from previous applications. We were first introduced to Apple's intentions for a Telephonic MacBook back in August 2010. This was followed up with two related granted patents for a cellular antenna for a MacBook that were published respectively in September 2010 and February 2011. Apple continues to advance the concept of a Telephonic MacBook which will hopefully see the light of day sometime in the future – hopefully sooner rather than later.
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 22 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In our first of three patent reports today, we point to several notable granted patents which include Apple's seventh industrial design win for their iPod touch, another which relates to the earphone jack associated with their earphone with mic accessory and a win for Apple's Bonjour technology. Yet the most interesting granted patent in this first lot that we review today, definitely goes to a smart shoe patent. This patent relates to a sporting shoe wear-out system that Apple has yet to bring to market that would warn athletes when their running shoe, ski boot and/or soccer cleats were no longer properly supporting their foot so as to avoid injury.
Just as rumors begin to surface that the iPhone 5 may sport a metal back panel, China grants Apple eleven design patents for the iPhone 4. While the iPhone 4's design may be highly controversial, the wins in China coming back to back with Apple's many US design wins, clearly illustrates Apple's desire to protect this sleek design against their many copycat competitors.
Imperium (IP) Holdings, Inc. has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple and other smartphone heavyweights such as Kyocera, LG Electronics, RIM, Sony Ericsson, Nokia and Motorola. Yet the case really isn't about smartphones as it is about the cameras they incorporate. Imperium Holdings holds five distinct patents that primarily deal with image sensors.
It seems that Europe is getting all of Apple's trademark business these days. Since January there have been five major filings alone. It Began with Ping, Apple's branding for their social network for music. The others that soon followed included Ping's associated "Bubbles" logo; "Places" for social networking; "Apple" covering everything under the sun; and finally the famous Granny Smith logos that once belonged to the Beatles. Well, the trend continues today as the EU has just granted Apple 24 iOS icon related design patents. Apple's European copycat competitors are now on notice.
Cordance Corporation and Efficient Online Purchasing have launched a patent infringement case against Apple, Victoria's Secret and PayPal. The case specifically against Apple involves their iTunes purchasing/transaction system which allegedly infringes on Cordance's 2004 patent. Updated.
Apple loves Industrial design and that's evident in their string of creative breakthroughs for products such as the iPod, iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, iMac and MacBook Air. Furthermore, they're fanatical passion for detail ventures into every facet of design from their stunningly crafted iPhone which includes advanced nitriding stainless steel and exotic materials like Liquid Metal right through to their New York store's insanely inspiring glass architecture and their other distinctive mall outlets. Every facet of an Apple product is considered for redesign at some point in time, and today we learn that Apple is considering the use a new flat cabling system that could end our tangled-wire blues and perhaps even prevent nasty power surges.
On March 15, 2011, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office finally published five trademark applications that Apple had filed for earlier in the month. The applications cover two formal trademarks for "Smart Instruments" and "Touch Instruments." Additionally, Apple has applied for three Smart Instrument Icons including "guitar," "bass" and "keyboard." The filings cover a comprehensive if not sweeping list of product protections under wares and services. Notably, Apple has included "Toys" as a breakout category. In context, you have to wonder if Apple is eyeing the gaming and/or toy markets for a future game or app to compete with the likes of Guitar Hero and/or the new Guitarsmith. It would make for a great Christmas gift to go along with that shiny new iPad under the tree, wouldn't you agree? Time will tell. Updated August 9, 2011 with US filing information.
Court documents have revealed today that Ogma LLC has launched a second patent infringement case against Apple dealing with video formats and aspect ratios for displays. Their first lawsuit was reported on this past weekend. On a second front, Patently Apple has just learned that Apple has launched a breach of contract lawsuit against Motorola. With a number of sealed documents found within a barrage of documents, we find it difficult to assess what the heart of this case is all about at this point in time. But it's certainly an interesting twist in the Apple vs. Motorola legal wars.
The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 9 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. There are several notables within this group which include aResolution Independent User Interface Design along with three industrial design wins for Apple's iPhone 3G dock, their 2009 iPod nano and the original 2007 iPhone. Yet the perhaps the most important granted patent in this lot today goes to a key multi-touch patent. This 2007 patent is definitely a defacto classic in defining the gigantic leap forward that smartphones took at that very moment in time. The iPhone was born and changed the smartphone market forever.
Apple Corps had won two previous trademark infringement cases against Apple Inc. in the years 1981 and 1991 respectfully. Their third case against Apple Inc., which was filed in 2003, ended up in a legal settlement in 2007. In that settlement, Apple Corps sadly lost their legal rights to their famed Granny Smith Apple Logos to Apple Inc. Sometimes, the spoils of legal wars are painful. On a happier note however, the Beatles music was finally brought to iTunes on November 16, 2010. To ensure final ownership of the famed Apple logos, Apple Inc. has filed a pair of trademark applications with the European Trademarks Office under 14 International Classifications covering such matters as computer hardware, online social networking services, mobile phones, musical instruments, games, clothing/headgear, advertising, education and broadcasting.
A little unknown company going by the name of Ogma LLC is suing Apple and others such as Dell, HP, HTC, Nokia, RIM, Motorola and Sony Ericsson for infringing their patent that relates to a programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device.
