Apple Tries to Patent iPod User Interface

harlows_monkeys writes "Apple's trying to patent several aspects of the iPod user interface. This one is particularly interesting because the claims are written in fairly clear and simple language, easy to understand by anyone. If this one is granted, it won't be because an overworked examineer was confused by deliberate obfuscation by the application (which is what I think happens for a lot of the ridiculous patents). About half the claims are for things that were implemented in prior players (e.g., Archos), and the other half are for things that are in many other common device interfaces (DVD players, PVRs) and the only novelty is that Apple put them on a portable music player."

Comments

Re:Slashdot-completely against any patents whatsoe

[Anonymous Coward]

Michael is an experienced Nazi. He can hijack domains, modbomb threads, troll stories, and post utter shit all at the same time.

Welcome to Slashdot.

[OwP_Fabricated]

Been here long?

It's okay if Apple does anything bad, because well, You gotta FIGHT TEH MAN.

Re:That's a very neutral summary

[SensitiveMale]

If it was Microsoft doing this, we'd have seen a long judgmental rant with a biased link at the end.

That is because ms is usually trying to patent Apple's research and technologies after the fact.

ms doesn't call Apple their 'R&D south division' for nothing.

If ms ever tried to patent something they invented I am sure no one would be upset.

Re:That's a very neutral summary

[howlingmoki]

> If ms ever tried to patent something they
> invented I am sure no one would be upset

Mang, you're assuming that Microsoft actually invented anything. Big mistake

Re:That's a very neutral summary

[Captain Splendid]

Yeah, but that's negated by the moronic asshole factor.