Apple is using the patent system exactly as it was intended. Apple has been researching personal computing since it was founded, and invests heavily in figuring out exactly what works to make viable products.
The patents are broad enough to affect any smart phone and many other mobile devices. Context-specific actions based on local data[1] and real-time data processing[2].
The first question isn't whether or not Apple is a troll (they are clearly not), the question is: are they using patents in an anti-competitive manner. Do they have valid IP claims whose cleverness deserves protection from copycats or is this just kneecapping the competition?
Both patents cover technology that is obvious (today, they were filed 10 years ago). Neither has anything to do with what makes the iPhone special. And they are targeted at Apple's biggest competitor. So the most obvious conclusion is that this is a strategic move by Apple using IP that has no real merit.
To reiterate: This isn't using the patent system as it was intended. Apple isn't protecting the Apple-ness of their products from copycats. They are using their strong patent portfolio against competitors with weak patent portfolios.
Comments
Apple is using the patent system exactly as it was intended. Apple has been researching personal computing since it was founded, and invests heavily in figuring out exactly what works to make viable products.
The patents are broad enough to affect any smart phone and many other mobile devices. Context-specific actions based on local data[1] and real-time data processing[2].
The first question isn't whether or not Apple is a troll (they are clearly not), the question is: are they using patents in an anti-competitive manner. Do they have valid IP claims whose cleverness deserves protection from copycats or is this just kneecapping the competition?
Both patents cover technology that is obvious (today, they were filed 10 years ago). Neither has anything to do with what makes the iPhone special. And they are targeted at Apple's biggest competitor. So the most obvious conclusion is that this is a strategic move by Apple using IP that has no real merit.
To reiterate: This isn't using the patent system as it was intended. Apple isn't protecting the Apple-ness of their products from copycats. They are using their strong patent portfolio against competitors with weak patent portfolios.
1: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sec...
2: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sec...