Apple has won a US patent for touch-screen controls and gained a potential legal weapon against iPhone competitors.
US Patent 7,479,949 is awarded to “(Steve) Jobs et al” for a method of “detecting one or more finger contacts with the touch screen display” to command computing devices.
A multi-page patent available online at the US Patent and Trade Office on Monday details iPhone or iPod Touch commands such as finger or thumb swiping, twisting, or spreading to flip pages, rotate views, or enlarge images.
The patent was issued last week, a day before Apple on January 21 announced record-high quarterly profits.
Word of the patent provides ominous context for a warning made by Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook during a conference call that followed release the California firm’s earnings report.
Cook said he believes iPhones are “years ahead of the competition” and that they are vigilantly watching to make certain rivals don’t usurp Apple’s intellectual property.
“We think competition is good,” Cook said. “We are ready to suit up and go against anyone. However, we will not stand for having our IP ripped off and will use whatever weapons at our disposal.” More at Yahoo!
Let’s face it… they did create and innovate the touch sector. I totally agree it’s their creation. Now, others will follow and it’s perfectly understandable that they will fight hard to preserve their properties. Nowadays with all the technology available and lawyers(!) it’s very easy to “use” others’ inventions.
I’m not on their side, but I have to admit they have the right to protect their property and they did spend millions to create that.
I’m actually kind of surprised that they could get a patent on this. It seems there is a very fine line on what is unique & what is obvious.
I’d rather see Apple make money on more innovation & not litigation trying to shove away their competitors.