Look familiar? This is Apple's iPhone/iPad lock screen interface. Apple has claimed legal rights to the "slide to unlock" concept through US 8046721 patent.
The first claim is simple: the method of unlocking a touch-sensitive electronic device is by moving a touch-sensitive display from one predetermined location to another predefined location.
Essentially Claim 1 of this patent explains how exactly this unlocking method works.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apple v. Samsung 2.0
However, Apple claimed that Samsung infringed on this patent, among other claimed features, leading to a head to head battle in courtrooms starting in 2014.
Apple alleged that Samsung copied:
- Slide to unlock
- Universal search
- Links within SMSes
- Autocorrect
- Background syncing
Lawsuits like such are primarily a result of broadly claimed software patents, in which the companies are claiming to have invented a lot more than the reality in an attempt to monopolize the entire market. It wasn't until later in 2014 when these disputes were settled. The U.S. court ruled that Samsung did not willfully infringe on Apple's "slide to unlock" patent, and Apple received $120 million in damages - a far cry from the $2 billion they asked for.
I like how you start your post off with a picture. Its a good way to ease into the writing and gave me a context for your post, which was very useful. Your description of Claim 1 got the main point of the claim, but it may be good next time to add a little more detail as to what the claim is and what the claim elements are. However, I really liked your Apple v. Samsung post and how you highlighted the 5 infringement points. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat description, I like how you also added the analysis about how much Apple won but how far it was from what they originally demanded.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nate. Your introduction was really good and gave me as the reader some context as to what you are talking about. I also like how you put the patent in context with the Apple vs. Samsung case. Though, some description about the patent and an explanation of the claim would be good.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the description and the video. It did a great job of explaining the patent itself. I also really enjoyed how you laid out what exactly happened in the lawsuit. Good job!
ReplyDelete