Well, Apple Goes and Does Again

[Griffolion]

From Engadget (full article here [http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/29/apple-lands-preliminary-ban-against-samsung-galaxy-nexus/]):

It hasn't been Samsung's best week. Just days after Judge Lucy Koh granted a preliminary ban on sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, she's following it up with a similar granted request on the Galaxy Nexus. Judge Koh had already signaled that she thought Apple's lawsuit over four patents might have merit, but it's only now that she's deciding the potential damage is worth halting sales of the phone until there's a final trial verdict. Samsung will no doubt try to appeal the dispute, which centers on Android 4.0's slide-to-unlock mechanism (among other elements), but there's a lot more urgency here than with the outgoing Tab 10.1: the Galaxy Nexus is still a current-generation device, and just became Google's Android 4.1 phone flagship. Samsung's odds aren't great given that Apple has already used one of the patents to give HTC grief with its imports.

Update: As patent lawsuit guru Florian Mueller found, the clincher for the ban was the patent on unified search that's linked to Siri. Although Judge Koh is inclined to believe Apple's view regarding all four patents, that search patent is the one whose violation would reportedly merit more than a slap on the wrist. She's similarly convinced that Apple's patents are legitimate and likely won't be dismissed anytime soon.

Basically, if you're in the US, get this phone while you can from Google's Play Store, because it ain't gonna be around for much longer. Seems that if you can't beat 'em, sue 'em. Eh, Apple? Keep it classy, you senseless idiots.

EDIT: A little funny I found on the interwebs:

Spoiler

 

[DoPo]

EDIT: A little funny I found on the interwebs:

Spoiler

[/spoiler][/QUOTE]

That was really funny. Also too true for comfort.

But...what can I say. Patents. Can't live with them, can't live without them. Or something. Or most probably, stop handing and enforcing ridiculous patents.

 

[Nouw]

Feth this is getting ridiculous. I'm really glad it's only the US and not the rest of the world.

EDIT: A little funny I found on the interwebs:

Spoiler

 

[Griffolion]

EDIT: A little funny I found on the interwebs:

Spoiler

[/spoiler][/QUOTE]

That was really funny. Also too true for comfort.

But...what can I say. Patents. Can't live with them, can't live without them. Or something. Or most probably, stop handing and enforcing ridiculous patents.[/quote]

Indeed. The two patents in question, one of slide to unlock and the other of unified search, are both [b]ideas[/b]. Even with the American patent system, you can't patent and idea, heck you can't even patent an algorithm, you can only patent actual implemented code. Google can have slide to unlock / unified search so long as their implementation looks nothing like Apple's. It's just ridiculous that they'd go "WE HAVE THIS, SO DO THEY, BAN IT!" out of, what I can only guess is, fear of the competition.

Mind you, I'm also a bit wary of that judge. I normally hate these people who say "OH HOW MUCH DID THAT JUDGE GET PAID", but she's given more cases in Apple's favour than I've had hot dinners. I'm beginning to seriously wonder if she's been compromised, either through her own preference for Apple products (it's known Koh has an iPhone & iPad, and her own prejudice seems more plausible) or through some nefarious bribes (highly doubtful).

 

[DoPo]

Google can have slide to unlock / unified search so long as their implementation looks nothing like Apple's. It's just ridiculous that they'd go "WE HAVE THIS, SO DO THEY, BAN IT!" out of, what I can only guess is, fear of the competition.

Last I looked at it, Apple's patent on slide to unlock includes everything that is remotely similar. Not only this

But anything that has "sliding" as part of unlocking. This is what my Galaxy S does

Don't mind the arrows, you can also go up or down or whatever direction you want. That also falls under "slide to unlock". Considering "slide to unlock" has been around from before iPhone, it has become a pretty standard way of, well, unlocking the phones. It's different with smartphones, yes, but the core idea is exactly the same as the mechanical one - slide something the phone is usable. Well, with Apple's patent on it, what other companies can do is:
- put a code- (annoying and slower. Also I don't think the Connect the dots minigame counts as "slide", so it's safe. Maybe.
- have a button - yes, let's go back to the old days
- or use biometrics, such as voice control of face recognition. And let's face it, do you want to shout at your phone every time you want to use it? More than usual, I mean.
- something else, that isn't as convenient as their patented technology

 

[Imthatguy]

I wonder if I patented a knob if I could sue everyone whos ever used a door.

 

[Ilikemilkshake]

I wonder if I patented a knob if I could sue everyone whos ever used a door.

If you're apple you apparently can do that.

OT: hopefully this can be appealed pretty quickly, otherwise hurrah for competition!

 

[LordFish]

I wish apple fan boys would give them some grief for this, not just the rest of us in the real world.

 

[Esotera]

It's absolutely stupid, both sides should stop this silly slapfight as the only party that will gain from this in the long-term is the lawyers. I doubt anyone at Apple excluding Steve Jobs wanted this to turn into a patent war, and he's gone now, so they should stop it.

 

[razer17]

Basically, if you're in the US, get this phone while you can from Google's Play Store, because it ain't gonna be around for much longer. Seems that if you can't beat 'em, sue 'em. Eh, Apple? Keep it classy, you senseless idiots.

EDIT: A little funny I found on the interwebs:

Spoiler

[/spoiler][/QUOTE]

I hate Apple, I hate current copyright and patent laws, and I hate all this damn suing. BUT you're giving Apple to much stick for this. These big phone manufacturers are suing each other constantly. It's not just Apple vs. the world. It's Apple vs Samsung, SAmsung vs Motorola, Motorola vs Blackberry etc.

I just hate the whole lot. Not just Apple doing it, but the fact they all do it. CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!!!

Although, that little web comic was pretty damn funny.

 

[Don Savik]

I wonder how much longer Apple is going to be relevant. I mean, I can't imagine the iphone and ipad popularity to stay around much longer especially when they cost 300 dollars or more each monthly model.

On another note, why do judges seem so out of touch with modern technology?

 

[jurnag12]

Seriously? You can patent dragging your finger across a screen to activate something?
What's next, some jackass is gonna come out of the woodwork with a patent on using alphanumerical passwords?

 

[Lethos]

And yet people will continue to buy Apple products by the millions. I don't understand guys. I just. Don't. Understand.

 

[Lucem712]

I can't wait until they sue Microsoft because both of their OS use a similar GUI! Ooh, the humanity! Giving people a choice rather than their shitty Apple products. (No offence to people that own Apple products.)

 

[Darren716]

Dear Apple just because you use something doesn't mean you own the rights to it. That would be like if Nintendo banned the Xbox 360 and PS3 because they have a D-pad on their controller.

 

[Doclector]

American law; Now free to play!

but pay to win!

 

[Waaghpowa]

Same judge? I feel sorry for you Americans, you're basically being controlled by domestic corporations. I for one would rather get a device made by Koreans than by Americans. Nothing personal, but I find that products from Asia based companies to be of a higher quality, functionality and longevity.

This whole "One could easily mistaken.." bullshit is also, well, bullshit. You would have to be blind to not know the difference. Also, anyone who watches TV has seen enough ads from Apple to know the difference. It's not like Apple doesn't try to push it in your face at every opportunity.

I was going to say that this is a conspiracy to keep money domestic because your economy is doing so poorly, but then I remembered that Apple doesn't actually make anything and gets it all from Samsung.

I for one can't wait for the day that Apple is forced to make its components domestically because no overseas company will due to the number of lawsuits.

I also predict some fanboys coming in to hate on you, one specific tosser who is so blatantly obsessed, everyone should know who i'm talking about. [sub][sub][sub][sub]Cryo something[/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub]

 

[Hoss]

it is just business

 

[Rednog]

Guys can we please stop criticizing apple?
They really need the money, how else are they going to keep Zombie Steve Jobs alive?
It takes boat loads of money each day just to keep his hunger in check.

 

[DoPo]

American law; Now free to play!

but pay to win!

I think that comment won the thread.

Guys can we please stop criticizing apple?
They really need the money, how else are they going to keep Zombie Steve Jobs alive?
It takes boat loads of money each day just to keep his hunger in check.

Can't tell if stupid or brainwashed. There is not such thing as zombies. Sheesh, get a grip on reality. They need the money because every couple of months, they dig up Steve Jobs and put him in a new shiny coffin. That's the iCoffin - twice as shiny as a normal one but 10 times the price. Jobs is due to an upgrade - he's getting the iCoffin 2s now.