Patent

Apple granted 19 new patents covering switches, Airplane Mode and more

Oliver Haslam ∙ February 15, 2012

Apple is known for throwing as many patents onto the wall as possible with the aim of getting at least a few to stick. That has never been more true than since the arrival of the iOS platform with iPads and iPhones seeing more than their fair share of patent applications.

Now the US Patent and Trademark Office has laid out nineteen new patents which have been granted to Apple, and while some are Mac related, others have a distinctly iOS bent to them.

One such patent covers something that we all take for granted - the Airplane Mode feature that is built into all iOS devices, and is a God-send if you happen to use an old FM-transmitter with an iPhone...

EU and Justice Department give Google the green light for Motorola Mobility purchase

Sébastien Page ∙ February 13, 2012

From AllThingsD:

Google has gotten the all-clear from European Union regulators to buy Motorola Mobility, though officials remain concerned about how Google will use Motorola’s patent portfolio.

“This merger decision should not and will not mean that we are not concerned by the possibility that, once Google is the owner of this portfolio, Google can abuse these patents, linking some patents with its Android devices,” Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told reporters, according to Reuters. “This is our worry.”

Hours after the EU gave its agreement, the US Department of Justice gave its blessing as well:

With this, Google is one step closer to closing the deal, although they’re still waiting on approval from China, Taiwan, and Israel before the transaction can officially be completed.

World War III is just about to start, and it's all about patents!

Apple sues Motorola Mobility in a US court over Qualcomm licenses

Cody Lee ∙ February 10, 2012

The latest turn in Apple's ongoing patent war with Android manufacturing partners has been fairly disappointing for the iPhone-maker. A judge recently found Apple to be infringing on one of Motorola's wireless patents, causing the company to remove some of its products from its German online store.

Today, Reuters is reporting that Apple has launched a counter-attack, filing a lawsuit against Motorola in a US court. And the outcome of this trial has the power to turn the tide...

Apple Asks European Organization to Standardize Patent Licensing

Cody Lee ∙ February 8, 2012

Apple and Motorola have really been going at it over the last few weeks. Motorola seems to have the upper hand in the ongoing patent lawsuit, as it recently won a court decision forcing Apple to remove some of its products from its online store.

But Apple's [obviously] not going down without a fight. It claims that the patents that Motorola is holding against it are standards-essential patents (required to function), and, if nothing else, should be licensable under FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non Discriminatory) terms...

Motorola Wants 2.25% of Apple’s Sales in Exchange for Patent License

Cody Lee ∙ February 4, 2012

The legal battle going on between Apple and Motorola in Germany's Mannheim court is starting to get pretty intense. Just yesterday, Apple was forced to pull some of its 3G products from its German online store as the result of a temporary injunction.

Although Apple quickly won a suspension on the ruling and the products are on sale again, the damage is done. The court has ruled that it believes that Apple is using one of Motorola's wireless patents. And for that, Motorola wants to get paid...

Apple Looking to Make iOS a Part of Your Workout Routine

Cody Lee ∙ February 3, 2012

Just because Apple is in the consumer electronics business, doesn't mean it doesn't have its eye on other markets. Just last month we saw the company launch a digital textbook program, and it's also shown a lot of interest in the personal fitness space.

For the last several years, Apple has teamed up with Nike to bring fitness-tracking software to its iPhone and iPod products. Now it looks like it's trying to take that idea to the next level with its latest patent application regarding an iOS app that tracks and shares your workout information...

EU Launches Antitrust Probe into Samsung

Oliver Haslam ∙ January 31, 2012

Apple may have struck a blow in its current battle with Samsung over wireless technology patents, without actually doing anything.

News broke today that the European Union is launching a formal investigation into Samsung and its potential breach of EU antitrust rules. The investigation itself will focus on FRAND patents which means patent appliciations related to standards must be “fair, reasonable, and on non-discriminatory terms.”

The EU obviously believes Samsung hasn't been acting entirely above board with regards to its current patent dealings with Apple...

Judge Interprets Key Realtime API Patent in Apple’s Favor

Cody Lee ∙ January 29, 2012

Apple has spent an estimated $100 million dollars on its so-called "war on Android." And so far it doesn't have much to show for it. Even its recent ITC court victory over HTC doesn't look like it will have much of an impact on anything.

But that could all change thanks to a recent interpretation of Apple's '263 patent by a high-ranking US judge. The patent covers realtime API — a key component in Android that would be extremely difficult to work around if a manufacturer was found guilty of infringing on it...

Patent Shows Apple Working On Universal Touchscreen TV Remote

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 17, 2017

As noted by 9to5Mac, the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) published an interesting patent application today with Apple's name on it.

The filing pertains to a universal touch screen controller, capable of controlling TV sets and a range of other devices, lending at least some credibility to the recent rumors we've heard that Apple has a connected television in the works...

Tension Grows Between Apple and Google as Motorola Files iPhone Lawsuit

Cody Lee ∙ January 26, 2012

Reports are coming in that Motorola Mobility has just filed a significant lawsuit against Apple in the US over the illegal use of its intellectual property. Motorola believes that Apple is using its patents in both its iPhone 4S and iCloud products.

MM recently won an injunction against Apple late last year in a German court. And although the decision has yet to make an impact on Apple's sales in the country, it could certainly play a major part in Motorola's new lawsuit here in the States...

Dutch Judge Denies Apple Appeal, Deems Galaxy Tab Legal

Oliver Haslam ∙ January 24, 2012

Apple today lost the latest round of its legal battle with Samsung, with a Dutch appeal court siding with the Korean tablet and smartphone maker.

Apple had claimed that Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet had infringed upon some of company's iPad patents, and sought a ban of the infringing hardware. At an appeal hearing today however, a Dutch judge at The Hague deemed the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to be a legal device, saying that it does not infringe on Apple's patents...

Apple Goes After Galaxy Nexus With Slide to Unlock Patent

Cody Lee ∙ January 22, 2012

A few months ago, Samsung's mobile president Shin Jong-kyun told reporters that Apple would have a hard time finding any of their intellectual property in his company's new Galaxy Nexus handset.

He obviously underestimated Apple's legal team. Reports are coming in that Apple has just filed another lawsuit in Germany against Samsung for the use of — get this — its patented 'Slide to Unlock' feature...