Great post. However, with regard to Apple choosing certain dimensions for a tablet, it is probably patentable. The claim would cover a device with length, wid

Great post. However, with regard to Apple choosing certain dimensions for a tablet, it is probably patentable. The claim would cover a device with length, width and height within certain numerical ranges. Of course, the invention must be novel and non-obvious. If the ranges are specified too narrowly, the competitor can just make the device bigger or smaller. But if the range is specified too widely, it may include a prior art device, which would invalidate the claim. Here's an interesting link on numerical ranges in nanotech patents: http://www.elkfife.com/view_article.php?id=9 http://www.elkfife.com/view_article.php?id=9 (Warning: EU != US)