Smartphones Patented — Just About Everyone Sued 1 Minute Later

This week the US Patent and Trademark Office issued a surprisingly (although I guess it shouldn't be) broad patent for a "mobile entertainment and communication device". Upon closer inspection you may notice that it pretty much outlines the ubiquitous smartphone concept. "It's a patent for a mobile phone with removable storage, an internet connection, a camera and the ability to download audio or video files. The patent holding firm who has the rights to this patent wasted no time at all. At 12:01am Tuesday morning, it filed three separate lawsuits against just about everyone you can think of, including Apple, Nokia, RIM, Sprint, ATT, HP, Motorola, Helio, HTC, Sony Ericsson, UTStarcomm, Samsung and a bunch of others. Amusingly, the company actually first filed the lawsuits on Monday, but realized it was jumping the gun and pulled them, only to refile just past the stroke of midnight. "

Comments

If I had invented the smartphone...

[Anonymous Coward]

I would be pissed that all these tech companies rake in the money by ripping off my invention. Good thing the patent system protects our geniuses from intellectual property theft.

Re:If I had invented the smartphone...

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

While your points are solid, here at the USPTO we pride ourselves in granting patents regardless of originality, gross obviousness and indeed, patentability itself.

We like to think of ourselves as a progressive institution.

I have a question, your honour

[Anonymous Coward]

Can you hear me now?

Manufacturers to release hardware fix

[JonTurner]

Update kit consists of one drop of superglue, which you apply to the flash card. Presto -- no removable storage.
Who's laughing now, Mr. Patent Troll?

Re:Manufacturers to release hardware fix

[trickno]

I don't have removable storage for my phone. I have a removable phone for my storage.

Re:Manufacturers to release hardware fix

[nschubach]

I call mine MemorySkin. It completely covers and protects my memory from harm (me dropping it.) I even found one that covers both my memory and my camera!

Re:Prior art?

[DaveM753]

everyone?

Re:Good luck

[Marcion]

how do they expect to fight a war on 10 different fronts...

... I hear Darl McBride will be available on the job market very soon...

Re:Prior art?

[Chris Mattern]

Bueller?

Re:They sued WHO?

[TheRaven64]

The same IBM that has a larger patent portfolio than the next-highest competitor by a substantial margin? A large patent portfolio is only a threat against companies that actually make something. Standard operating procedure these days is to spin off separate companies to do the patent trolling.

The fact that IBM's lawyers are colloquially known as 'Nazgul' should probably be more worrying to them.

Re:Good luck

[shmlco]

Just just be nine different fronts. Apple should file for summary judgement and immediately sue them for filing a frivolous lawsuit. The iPhone doesn't have "removable storage".

Re:They forgot to sue one party

[mrchaotica]

After all, where would God get a lawyer?

I'd bet he could think of one particular angel that'd be suitable...