FutureTap responds to Apple's patent application | Hacker News Reader

FutureTap responds to Apple's patent application

futuretap.com

40 pointsabstractbill10 comments

Coverband is right. People need to READ the patent. They aren't patenting Where To, just showing how their patent could improve it. Apple has a legal team and surely understands the concept of "Prior Art" basically if an invention is "disclosed" or revealed to the public the inventor has one year to file a patent. Even if Apple tried to patent that app a patent examiner would not grant it because the app predates the patent application.

> They aren't patenting Where To, just showing how their patent could improve it.

Most people just file a feature request.

It seems to be a stupid misunderstanding: Apple is not patenting these guys' application, they're using it as an example for a product that could consume their patentable process.

Regardless, it's still a stupid patent.

I don't see any good reason to include a highly recognizable likeness for a third party's app in the patent without their consent, however. There's a reason things like example.com, NorthWind etc. exist.

It is one of the requirements of the patent process. This is why Apple uses the shape of an iPhone or an iPod in their patents, as they are required to provide examples.

I'm getting very uncomfortable with Apple. Not sure how to describe this in the best terms, but this is just plain wrong.

Ditto. Those who have seen my posts in the past know that I am far from an Apple hater - but their recent shenanigans have made me question if I want to continue to support the iPhone platform.

Many of the things they've done in the past few months have been highly questionable - but this is way over the line.

Here's hoping Android UI improves sufficiently between now and next July, when my contract is up ;)

You don't understand it, but you know you don't like it, right?

Its amazing that this kind of nonsense gets so much play. People will pretend all kinds of obviously false things about Apple-- like that there is an antanna defect with the iPhone 4, or that apple is somehow attempting to steal "Where to".

Neither of these are the case, and it is pretty obvious to anyone who understand the technology or patents involved.

Yet people just keep forwarding it.... its an effective form of propaganda... it makes Apple look bad even though they haven't done anything wrong.

Slow but working coral cache link (the futuretap site was down when I tried the link): http://www.futuretap.com.nyud.net/blog/the-patent-case-we-ha...

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