[Kaotik]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/10/3...unlock-feature

The 3rd and newest patent granted on the issue, now gives Apple the rights for "moving image continously to unlock region on the screen"

Of course again it's irrelevant that others have used such systems earlier.

[tongue_of_colicab]

But as we know, apple is the creator of the universe so everybody should just pay the fuck up. All hail apple.

[AlphaWolf]

Apple invented the bolt lock? Who knew.

[Blazkowicz]

WTF, if you allow me such mundane language : Apple wants to patent drag'n'drop.
You can't be too broad, so you need it to be a particular application. For exemple : a method for dragging a playing card or a stack of playing cards from one predefined pile to another, by holding down a pointing apparatus and releasing it when the target is reached. The card can be.. blah blah blah

[zed]

Well I have dibs on the 'turn to unlock' invention

[Pressure]

Blame the system for awarding such patents.

American citizens have the power to change the system, yet they sit idly by and point fingers.

[AlphaWolf]

Originally Posted by Pressure

Blame the system for awarding such patents.

American citizens have the power to change the system, yet they sit idly by and point fingers.

I'd rather blame the corporations that lobby for the system.

[Acert93]

Originally Posted by Pressure

Blame the system for awarding such patents.

American citizens have the power to change the system, yet they sit idly by and point fingers.

So you are saying if we vote Democrat/Republican this will all change. Oh, wait... they are both beholden.

[Sxotty]

Originally Posted by Acert93

So you are saying if we vote Democrat/Republican this will all change. Oh, wait... they are both beholden.

Yes and no. The problem is no one really cares too much about the patent system in general. It isn't high on the public list of problems to deal with. Americans for the most part may be sitting idly by, but they certainly are not pointing fingers about this. We have an adversarial system for the most part that figures lawyers can deal with it.

The real problem with reliance on lawyers (besides wasting money) is exhibited by the Juror's proclivity for random outcomes.

[Ethatron]

Originally Posted by Acert93

So you are saying if we vote Democrat/Republican this will all change.

Maybe it changes if you vote a minority party into the senate with the patent-system on the agenda. Oh wait ... you only have two parties in the U.S. /teasing /offtopic

[DJ12]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20040549

Seems like common sense is starting to prevail....

[Davros]

I remember british telecom tried to patent the hyper link, in which it claimed that the entire Internet infringed on its 'hyperlink patent'
they even got as far as sending out royalty demands to a few ailing companies

I love this bit of logic
"BT had argued that the Internet infringes the Sargent patent, and that Prodigy facilitates infringement by its subscribers by providing them with access to the Internet."