4 ms·

Related-ish: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12538224 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12538224 Apple trying to patent a paper bag!

by Cozumel 10y ago

izqui 10y ago
Apple is one of the companies that fill more stupid (obvious) patents in the world... They have a freaking patent on converting different data types, patent US7886264B1 [1] Even though Apple has never acted as a patent troll, it doesn't mean their patent portfolio isn't potentially harmful and it could be used as such some time soon to maximize profits. It wouldn't be the first time a once very successful company makes good profits by charging licensing fees on things way far away of their product line. I'm looking at you Microsoft... [2] [1]: https://patents.google.com/patent/US7886264B1 https://patents.google.com/patent/US7886264B1 [2]: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2015/11/01/microsoft-android-patent-income/#38428da07275 http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2015/11/01/microsoft-...
- Coding_Cat 10y ago
  Perhaps they are not a troll, in that they don't trawl. But look at the patents that they used in their dispute with Samsung. They have no problem using their ass-backwards patents agressively if one becomes a threat to them.
  - xupybd 10y ago
    They have them for that reason, they are a war chest used to fight other patent claims. Large companies needs these, it's a sign of how broken the system is.
    - lmm 10y ago
      They were the aggressor against Samsung.
- throwawayReply 10y ago
  Remember patents don't patent ideas. What is patented is not "a paper bag", but their particular method for constructing a paper bag. Is their method obvious? Perhaps not.
  - PieterH 10y ago
    Actually, patents do precisely claim commercial monopolies over ideas.
- riotdash 10y ago
  It's not Apple's fault no matter how ridiculous their patents are. It's 100% fault of the American retarded patent system. As a company or large corporation you have only two options: You apply for crazy patents or end up paying for compensations to others.

Related-ish: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12538224 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12538224 Apple trying to patent a paper bag!

by Cozumel 10y ago

Related-ish: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12538224 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12538224 Apple trying to patent a paper bag!

izqui 10y ago

Apple is one of the companies that fill more stupid (obvious) patents in the world... They have a freaking patent on converting different data types, patent US7886264B1 [1] Even though Apple has never acted as a patent troll, it doesn't mean their patent portfolio isn't potentially harmful and it could be used as such some time soon to maximize profits. It wouldn't be the first time a once very successful company makes good profits by charging licensing fees on things way far away of their product line. I'm looking at you Microsoft... [2] [1]: https://patents.google.com/patent/US7886264B1 https://patents.google.com/patent/US7886264B1 [2]: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2015/11/01/microsoft-android-patent-income/#38428da07275 http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2015/11/01/microsoft-...

Coding_Cat 10y ago
Perhaps they are not a troll, in that they don't trawl. But look at the patents that they used in their dispute with Samsung. They have no problem using their ass-backwards patents agressively if one becomes a threat to them.
- xupybd 10y ago
  They have them for that reason, they are a war chest used to fight other patent claims. Large companies needs these, it's a sign of how broken the system is.
  - lmm 10y ago
    They were the aggressor against Samsung.
throwawayReply 10y ago
Remember patents don't patent ideas. What is patented is not "a paper bag", but their particular method for constructing a paper bag. Is their method obvious? Perhaps not.
- PieterH 10y ago
  Actually, patents do precisely claim commercial monopolies over ideas.
riotdash 10y ago
It's not Apple's fault no matter how ridiculous their patents are. It's 100% fault of the American retarded patent system. As a company or large corporation you have only two options: You apply for crazy patents or end up paying for compensations to others.