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Apple Wins iTunes Interface Patent

Posted by pudge on from the get-yer-patents-here-no-reasonable-offer-refused dept.

phalse phace writes "There aren't too many details, but C|Net's news.com.com is reporting that Apple was issued a patent for its iTunes software interface on May 4. If you remember, Apple recently applied for a patent for its iPod interface as well."

1 of 278 comments (clear)

  1. Ignorance about UIs by faust2097 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Designing a novel, useful, original UI is as difficult as any other aspect of product development in the business world. If I can patent the design of a remote control [which wouldn't send the /. crew up in arms] why is it such a logical stretch to patent the interface for a software product that has the same type of functionality? In the case of the iPod the interface is both hardware and software. Doesn't Apple deserve the benefit of developing it just like a carmaker would for a braking system or a drug company for a new medicine?

    UI design is [b]hard[/b] and good solutions require careful development.