Apple Acquires a Strange Periodical Subscription Patent from Priceline's Cofounder Jay S. Walker
On January 24, 2013, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a strange patent application from Apple that was apparently acquired from Priceline's Cofounder Jay S. Walker. Today's patent application 20130024281 titled "Method and Apparatus for Selling Subscriptions to Periodicals in a Retail Environment," is in fact a patent that was first granted to Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership back in 1999. Priceline's Cofounder Jay S. Walker is from Ridgefield, CT, which is confirmed on Apple's patent application. It's also on record that Walker sued Apple back in 2011 and it's very likely that Apple's settlement with Walker may have included Apple gaining today's patent application. The world has changed since 1999 and Apple is selling subscriptions to magazines via iBookstore now. Yet today's acquired patent may have bought Apple a little more Intellectual Property security.
Patently Apple presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. Revelations found in patent applications shouldn't be interpreted as rumor or fast-tracked according to rumor timetables. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.
New on Patent Bolt this Week
Google's Future Eyewear to Offer Unique Audio Experience
Sony Invents Ultrabook with Transparent Display & Solar Cells
Google's "Dart" now a Registered Trademark
Microsoft's "SkyDrive" is now a Registered Trademark
Google Continues their Clean Energy Moon Shot Project
Looks like Apple is going after Amazon and its stranglehold on the magazine volume subscription market.
Posted by: Marc J. Driftmeyer | January 25, 2013 at 03:35 PM