http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11...unded_corners/
The world gone mad.... If you believe this, then does the US Patent Office really consider that a rectangular (sans rounded edge) mobile device does not fall foul of prior art?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11...unded_corners/
The world gone mad.... If you believe this, then does the US Patent Office really consider that a rectangular (sans rounded edge) mobile device does not fall foul of prior art?
It's a much more limited design patent not your 'normal' utility patent. Almost all companies take out a design patent on their products to stop people making an identical looking product. It doesn't stop you making something with rounded corners it stops you making something that looks exactly like it. It wasn't awarded a patent on all rectangles with rounded corners just that one. You would need to copy it almost exactly to infringe.
The media coverage of this is hyperbolic and laughable.
Nope never fallen under copyright. Copyright is for non-functional items, Design patents are for the ornamental design of functional items. It's been this way since the 1840's.
Apple does plenty of unscrupulous things with patents but this isn't one of them. Mountain out of a molehill territory. If they tried to use this patent to sue everyone who made something with rounded corners it would be, but they'd fail.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)