Discussed here 6 days ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1561364
was there any response from futuretap?
I've only seen a tweet from them thus far: http://twitter.com/futuretap/status/19947170850
Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
11–20 of 34 posts
Re: Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
#12Accurate headline: "Someone clueless about patents glances at a patent application, sees an image that matches an existing app, and assumes that is what is being patented". The exiting app he's talking about in fact does not appear to do what the patent describes, which would have been apparent had he tried to actually read the patent application.
Serious question- Does anyone actually read these things? Patent applications are enormously unreadable, and in virtually any internet discussion it comes down to "They patented something trivial!" "No, the details are what matter" .... QUIET....
So what did they patent?
Re: Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
#13I'm the guy whose blog is linked here. I've posted a followup: http://venomousporridge.com/post/909651311/whereto-patent-fo...
Re: Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
#14Accurate headline: "Someone clueless about patents glances at a patent application, sees an image that matches an existing app, and assumes that is what is being patented". The exiting app he's talking about in fact does not appear to do what the patent describes, which would have been apparent had he tried to actually read the patent application.
Serious question- Does anyone actually read these things? Patent applications are enormously unreadable, and in virtually any internet discussion it comes down to "They patented something trivial!" "No, the details are what matter" .... QUIET.... So what did they patent?
yet another patent for a another software application implementing a business process(es)
abstract ideas should not be patentable.
Re: Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
#15Accurate headline: "Someone clueless about patents glances at a patent application, sees an image that matches an existing app, and assumes that is what is being patented". The exiting app he's talking about in fact does not appear to do what the patent describes, which would have been apparent had he tried to actually read the patent application.
"But even if you’re fine with that, how about this: one of the diagrams in Apple’s patent application for a travel app is a direct copy, down to the text and the positions of the icons, of an existing third-party app that’s been available on the App Store for years." he wrote that 'one of the diagrams' was a direct copy. not the entire application. i don't think it's easy to dismiss apple taking the home screen and i…
They're not patenting the screen, which is what your amended title now says.
Try: "Apple Uses Copy of Existing 3rd Party App Screen in Patent Application"
Re: Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
#16Discussed here 6 days ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1561364
was there any response from futuretap?
They just did - http://www.futuretap.com/blog/the-patent-case-we-havent-call...
Re: Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
#17It clearly reads on the USPTO site: "United States Patent Application". This is an application for a patent, NOT a patent! Just because someone files an application does not mean they are going to get a patent (even if they usually do).
Re: Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
#18It clearly reads on the USPTO site: "United States Patent Application". This is an application for a patent , NOT a patent! Just because someone files an application does not mean they are going to get a patent (even if they usually do).
Yes, but even trying is both dishonest and a waste of the patent office's time. The patent office can still make things right, but Apple just did (some) Evil™ here.
Re: Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
#19Accurate headline: "Someone clueless about patents glances at a patent application, sees an image that matches an existing app, and assumes that is what is being patented". The exiting app he's talking about in fact does not appear to do what the patent describes, which would have been apparent had he tried to actually read the patent application.
Oh yeah, totally, but does that make it OK for Apple to rip off an image?
Indeed. At very least there is a copyright issue to think through here. And if Apple does have the right to use the image for this purpose through some clause in their developer agreement then that makes it even more scary rather than less - think of all the content in every app that Apple would suddenly have been granted rights to use for secondary purposes.
Re: Apple Patent Application Uses 3rd Party App Screen as Example
#20Since this was also reported a few days ago, is there an update to the situation? Have the original app developers made any comments? Anything?
Seems like they just did. Thanks Ravir for posting the link.
To summarize, they have no deal with Apple and they're surprised about the patent. They're looking for good affordable patent lawyer and/or looking for Apple Legal to contact/discuss this issue with them.