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

Well, duh

[Anonymous Coward]

If it was Microsoft doing this

If Microsoft were trying to patent the Apple iPod they'd deserve all the flames they could possibly get...

Re:Steve Jobs will own the patent?

[nacturation]

Jobs should get some credit. It was, after all, his reality distortion field the engineers were influenced by.

Re:APPLE PATENTS EVERYTHING

[90XDoubleSide]

Example:

United States Patent D478,999
Jobs , et al., August 26, 2003

Staircase

Claims: We claim the ornamental design for a staircase, substantially as shown and describe

(I know it's a design patent. It's still a funny thing to find when you're going through a technology company's patent filings :)

Re:Where is the outrage?

[Bull999999]

What did you expect? May people here are outraged that "for-profit" corporations acutally exist for profit!

Give 'em a break

[inkswamp]

Apple has learned in the past not to allow their user interfaces to be copied. Hmm... can you maybe possibly think of an example where Apple got royally screwed for not being protective enough of their interface? Maybe not.

Re:buh..?

[justsomebody]

No wonder, Apple was really trademark of Adam and Eve, Apple just copied it

Re:Steve Jobs will own the patent?

[User 956]

I think any Apple engineer will tell you that Steve plays a direct role in many of Apple's high-profile products.

You could say that. Here's how it works:

Designer: Hey Mr. Jobs. Look at this new product idea I came up with! It's a small, off-white digital music player. It's stylish, matches any outfit, and fits in your pocket!

Steve Jobs: Hmm.. Change the color from "off-white", to "white". Oh, and don't forget to add my name to the patent application. Ciao. I've got a 12:30 facial.