There are reports spreading that Apple is currently trying to patent the pinch mechanism it built into the iPhone and the recently released iPod Touch & MacBook Air devices.
If the patents were approved, companies that had plans to implement a multi-touch sensor in their devices will find a roadblock to their development even though Apple is not the first to release a product with multi-touch capabilities, Microsoft and Synaptics are two such companies that have products that utilized multi-touch technology.
What do you think about this issue? Do you think it’d be approved? What would it mean to the gadget world if it were approved?
Comments: (6)
Michael on Mon, Feb 25th, 2008 at 08:50 PM
I know Synaptics will be pissed about this.
Macguy on Mon, Feb 25th, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Only fair considering someone sues Apple everyday for patent violations.
Michael on Mon, Feb 25th, 2008 at 09:29 PM
So it’s ok for Apple to try to turn it self into a patent squater? Are they that desperate for money?
By the way Synaptics has had the pinch gesture for longer than Apple.
Terry on Mon, Feb 25th, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Does Microsoft ? Amazing how you can read between the lines of a single sentence response.
Michael on Mon, Feb 25th, 2008 at 09:43 PM
I think its stupid when companies want to patent stupid crap and become patent squaters be it Microsoft AMD, Intel Apple.
All it does is waste tax payer.
gerry on Wed, Jun 04th, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Yes, this could be a problem for the other companies, but as far as I am concerned I trust Apple products as they are first quality. I also think that enabling patent laws to allow more flexibility in would bring great benefits for all parts involved.
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