Patent

Apple Gets to Have a Peek at Samsung’s Yet-to-Be Released Phones

Sébastien Page ∙ May 25, 2011

There is a legal battle going on between Apple and Samsung right now. You might recall last month when we reported that Apple was suing Samsung for copyright infringement. Apple claimed at the time that Samsung's latest devices strangely look similar to their iPhone. It took only 11 days for Samsung to countersue Apple, with 10 patents infringements claims.

Things are looking up for Apple as a San Jose judge ruled that Samsung shall give 5 of its latest devices to Apple's legal team for them to make sure those devices do not copy the iPhone in any way...

iOS Developers Joining Forces in the Event of a Lodsys Battle

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Unless you've been living in a cave for the last month, chances are you've heard of Lodsys. The patent licensing company has been sending letters to iOS developers threatening legal action. They believe that in-app purchasing infringes on a patent of theirs, and they want to get paid.

After weeks of silence, Apple finally decided to speak up on the matter. While they publicly defended their developer's rights, they have not given any indication that they would help with legal fees, should Lodsys' threats ever materialize...

Apple Answers Lodsys by Saying Developers Are Licensed

Sébastien Page ∙ May 23, 2011

You might have heard of Lodsys, a company that has been threatening to sue iOS developers for patent infringement, namely patents that evolve around in-app purchases. Even though Apple is licensed to legally use the patent, Lodsys claims that app developer are not and they should pay the company small royalty fees.

After being called out by the EFF for not taking a stand for its app developers, it seems that Apple finally decided to speak up. In a letter sent to Lodsys, Bruce Sewell, Apple Senior Vice President and General Counsel, was quoted saying the following:

The EFF Calls on Apple to Stand Up Against Patent Trolls

Cody Lee ∙ May 21, 2011

We reported last week on the appalling actions of Lodsys. The patent licensing firm has been sending out letters to iOS developers, threatening legal action if they aren't paid royalties for the use of their invention.

The company's claim that iOS apps with in-app purchasing options are infringing on their patent has been causing an uproar in the developer community. While everyone holds vigilant to see what (if anything) Apple has to say on the matter, the EFF decided to speak up yesterday...

Apple Working on Privacy Viewing Mode for Mobile Displays?

Cody Lee ∙ May 20, 2011

Apple's research and development team houses some of the most brilliant minds in technology today. Even the inventions that don't make it into consumer products are worth dozens of ohs and ahs.

The latest patent uncovered by the folks at Patently Apple is no different. The filing, submitted back in 2009, describes a method of allowing a user to steer light beams in different directions to effectively produce a new private viewing option...

Patent Reveals Possible Upcoming iTunes Cloud Feature

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 2, 2018

Cloud-talk has become the equivalent of a tacky sitcom; it seems to be on every channel. I suppose it's for a good reason though, especially with Apple's WWDC event coming up in just a few weeks.

The Cupertino company is expected to expose its secret cloud storage service at the developer's conference next month. Though iCloud rumors have only recently began to heat up, Patently Apple is suggesting it's been a work in progress for quite some time ...

Lodsys Threatens iOS Developers Over In-App Patent Dispute

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 13, 2019

In-app purchasing has had kind of a rocky go of it since Apple announced the feature in late 2009. It was the reason behind multiple lawsuits and was even rumored to be investigated by members of the FCC.

Well it appears that its legal troubles aren't over just yet, but this time it's not angry parents threatening with legal action. This time it's a small license-toting company that says that in-app purchasing infringes on one of their patents...

Speech-to-Text Conversion Coming to iOS 5?

Alex Heath ∙ May 15, 2011

Following our report that iOS 5 will have voicemail transcription, a new patent has surfaced that details even more voice integration possibilities. Namely, it appears that Apple is looking into a native text-to-speech and speech-to-text converter for the iPhone.

This patent reveals some very interesting applications that could result from such a technology in iOS. Beyond the basic voice and text transcription, this patented converter could allow for a more unified experience between speech and text communication...

iOS Developers Threatened of Being Sued Over In-App Purchase Patent Infringement

Sébastien Page ∙ May 13, 2011

An interesting story covered by TiPb earlier today. Apparently, a couple iOS developers have received letters letting them know they were infringing a patent when using the in-app purchase feature in their application.

According to the documents they received, they have 21 days to either comply by paying a licensing fee, or remove in-app purchase from their application. Looks like someone is trying to scare off a few developers...

Patent Reveals Apple is Looking into New Keyboard Technology

Cody Lee ∙ May 12, 2011

Apple really shocked the world when they unveiled the original iPhone back in 2007. An all touch screen device with no stylus and an on-screen keyboard was certainly not the norm for the wireless industry at that time.

The iPhone's virtual keyboard has generally been at the top of its class, but that hasn't stopped Apple from experimenting. AppleInsider has come across an interesting patent application from the Cupertino company for a new style of compact keyboard...

Samsung Counter-Sues Apple with 10 Patent Infringement Claims

Guest Author ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

On April 16th, Apple filed a trademark infringement suit against Samsung with the U.S. District Court in North California. If you thought Samsung was just going to stand around, you thought wrong.

Apple originally filed a lawsuit against Samsung because it claimed Samsung's Galaxy S Android smartphones and new Galaxy Tab tablet violate Apple's intellectual property rights in regards to hardware design and user interface. Samsung last week returned the favor and counter-sued Apple, claiming that it has infringed 10 of its patents that have to do with "fundamental innovations that increase mobile device reliability, efficiency, and quality, and improve user interface in mobile handsets and other products".

Samsung now filed another lawsuit against Apple in the U.S.

Apple Working on Fitness Center App for iPhone

Guest Author ∙ April 28, 2011

Apple is taking fitness to a whole new level. The folks over at Patently Apple have come across a new patent Apple filed back in October of 2009.

The patent for a Fitness Center app that Apple seems to have been working on for a while now was published today by the U.S Patent & Trademark Office. The Fitness Center app includes various capabilities such as social networking features, giving users the ability to find a workout buddy. The app also seems to include Nike integration, illustrating a list with "The Nike Club Training Club Class."