News - Apple granted patent for disappearing scroll bar and more

[Zeven]

Possibly a silly question, but patents in the US don't matter in the UK and the rest of the EU, do they?

[Biscuit]

read 2 posts up

[Zeven]

Possibly a silly question, but patents in the US don't matter in the UK and the rest of the EU, do they?

[crossy]

Isnt open CL supposed to be... you know, open?

World thinks "OpenCL" = "Open Computing Language". Apple thinks "OpenCL" = "Open to Comprehensive Litigation".

If that is how it works, then it is a HUGE flaw in the patent system. Is it not possible for a company to appeal to the patent office by showing a product that pre-dates the patent and have it revoked?

It's called "prior art", and that's what's confusing me - it would seem that most (/all?) of the currently contentious patents have p.a. that's been relatively easy for the folks out on the web to find. In which case surely the USPTO could have done some five minute checks and found the evidence necessary to refuse the patent, or are they relying on the applicant being honest?

Other thing that I'm curious about (not being a patent lawyer or somesuch) is whether a patent for a device in the US is valid if there's prior art elsewhere. E.g. is prior art merely the existence (either announced or commercially available) of a similar device, or does that device have to have been patented/sold in the US?

Possibly a silly question, but patents in the US don't matter in the UK and the rest of the EU, do they?

US patents apply in the US only - despite what some may think. You apply for patents in specific markets, although there seems to be a lessening of items claiming a "worldwide patent". Given the shockingly inept state of the USPTO, their limited reach is something I'm profoundly grateful for!

[capt_cornflake]

Other thing that I'm curious about (not being a patent lawyer or somesuch) is whether a patent for a device in the US is valid if there's prior art elsewhere. E.g. is prior art merely the existence (either announced or commercially available) of a similar device, or does that device have to have been patented/sold in the US?

The latter I believe. It needs to have been available (or patented) in that region. That's not specific to US patents, I think it's the way it works everywhere.

[dangel]

The latter I believe. It needs to have been available (or patented) in that region. That's not specific to US patents, I think it's the way it works everywhere.

Yes it does - patents i've applied for take some time to be implemented in each and every region. I'm typically getting mail about applications some 2 years after my first submission.

[laywill]

To him/her who thought up this stupid patent grabbing strategy at Apple:

Please stop this rubbish for the love of any God, deity, or supernatural being of your choice which will still deign to give you the time of day.

[1pnoe]

I reckon they (Apple) would dearly love to patent the touch screen phone.

They already tried with patenting their touch-screen interface.