27 replies to this topic

[Waser Lave]

http://www.theregist...ounded_corners/

Thinking of making a thing that is portable, has a display and is rectangular with rounded corners? Well, DON'T! You'll be infringing Apple's new design patent.

Apple already owns a design that describes an iPad-like slab with rounded corners, patent US D627,777. Now it's got another one and it's much simpler: behold US D670,286.

Filed in November 2010, '286 was published by the US Patent Office on 6 November this week. The scope of the patented design is defined by the eight submitted diagrams, which show a thin rectangular iPad-like device with rounded corners. Here it is:


You can look but you can't touch copy this

The solid black line outlines the aspect of the design that is now patented. Broken lines are added for context. So, essentially, that'll be just a rectangle with rounded corners protected, then.

The previous design patent was more detailed, and included various ridges and trim around the fondleslab, rather than this latest all-encompassing filing that just simply patents a rectangle with non-sharp corners.

It took 15 of Apple's finest to come up with this particular shape; iPad engineering manager Jody Akana, the late Steve Jobs and Sir Jony Ive are among those credited with creating the design.

Apple's protected rectangles are often used as a example of PATENTS GONE MAD, but it's no match for this gem from the US Patent Office Hall of Fame, "a method of exercising a cat", which describes the use of handheld laser-pointer for keeping friendly felines fit as a fiddle. ®

[Sweeney]

I'm worried about the impact on Etch-a-sketch manufacturing.

[iargue]

A prime example of why Patent's are completely stupid.

And then how patents are enforced is even stupider. Allowing a Jury to decide on technical matters they cannot comprehend is a terrible choice.

[Yung]

You know what this means right?

Better get the patents in for the square!

[luvsmyncis]

Patents do expire. There are worse things to be ashamed of America for. Like our bigotry and ignorance.

I wouldn't worry about the Etch-a-Sketch. It has two little knobby parts that make it different than the iPad. But that's the only difference I can see. I'm sure all the insides are precisely the same. Now you can put your fears to rest.

[NapisaurusRex]

Yeah, technology is always evolving. There'll probably be a new, better shape soon.

[Sweeney]

[Mishelle]

There really needs to be a patent reform because imo it's a waste of time and money to get patents on stupid shit like this. You shouldn't be able to get patents on stuff you didn't invent yourself.

[Steve]

I like how Steve Jobs dies and apple starts suing and starts getting sued as well as making ridiculous patents.
Makes me hate my iPhone.

[Sweeney]

I like how Steve Jobs dies and apple starts suing and starts getting sued as well as making ridiculous patents.
Makes me hate my iPhone.

Apple was not exactly quiet on the litigation front when Jobs was alive...

[tri]

I am surprised they got it. So if I apply for a patent for the shape of a square I would get it.

[Sweeney]

I am surprised they got it. So if I apply for a patent for the shape of a square I would get it.

Only if you're secretly on the board of a multi-billion dollar corporation, I'd imagine.

[luvsmyncis]

I am surprised they got it. So if I apply for a patent for the shape of a square I would get it.

When I think of the biggest square on Neocodex, it is you that I think of.

[trizzle]

Oh waser i wanted to tank you i remember, this topic turned my whole chem class on friday fternoon into a discussion of ridiculous patents, wasting 3/4 of our time.

If i didn't already, love you )

(ps, i definitely did already)

[tri]

Only if you're secretly on the board of a multi-billion dollar corporation, I'd imagine.

Ya that would be the only problem.

When I think of the biggest square on Neocodex, it is you that I think of.

Thanks. I am also the brightest cookie in the shed. Remember that everyone.

[Strategist]

Ya that would be the only problem.




Thanks. I am also the brightest cookie in the shed. Remember that everyone.

I think you mean NOT the brightest....

[tri]

I think you mean NOT the brightest....

Well that was the joke but in the pic it was a pretty bright cookie.

[Yung]

I get dibs on the patent rights for the tetrahedron.

[TheLonelyStoner]

so are you telling me i can file a patent for the shape of a triangle?

[tri]

so are you telling me i can file a patent for the shape of a triangle?

If you wanted but I do not know if it would go through.

[Impulse]

This is so ridiculous. Oh Apple. Are they going to sue all the Android phones with that shape now?

[Sweeney]

I don't think you can sue a phone.

[Juturna]

I heard about this a while back, and wow. This is just stupid, really stupid. It's sorta like patenting round cans. You have two main options in making a phone/tablet/that sort of thing without making an intricate design, and that is rounded corners or no rounded corners. And you're completely saving one for yourself. And you actually got away with it. That's crazy.

[derpill]

Lol @ the cat exercising device.