Link: http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/02/05/apple-awarded-design-patents-for-slide-to-unlock-and-original-iphone-design
In a very large victory for Apple, the US Patent and Trademark Office has award Apple the exclusive patents to "slide to unlock" and the original shape of the iPhone. This will have widespread effect not just for Apple but major competitors Samsung and Google as well. This decision comes after a lengthy battle in which Google originally claimed they have right to this patent in German court. All of the companies that have had this similar technology have been willing to compromise with Apple in terms of licensing agreements however neither of these panned out.
This decision will have a huge impact on the industry as a whole as Apple just received a big victory for their brand. By gaining exclusivity rights to these two very unique features, Apple will be able to maintain a competitive advantage and offer consistency in their products. Even more interesting is that even if Apple chooses to abandon these two technologies and stop using them, they still control the patents so Samsung and Google won't be able to use them regardless. This will not be a huge problem for Google and Samsung as long as they are innovative in coming up with alternatives to these two new technologies. These companies can turn this initial setback into a strength for them.
In a very large victory for Apple, the US Patent and Trademark Office has award Apple the exclusive patents to "slide to unlock" and the original shape of the iPhone. This will have widespread effect not just for Apple but major competitors Samsung and Google as well. This decision comes after a lengthy battle in which Google originally claimed they have right to this patent in German court. All of the companies that have had this similar technology have been willing to compromise with Apple in terms of licensing agreements however neither of these panned out.
This decision will have a huge impact on the industry as a whole as Apple just received a big victory for their brand. By gaining exclusivity rights to these two very unique features, Apple will be able to maintain a competitive advantage and offer consistency in their products. Even more interesting is that even if Apple chooses to abandon these two technologies and stop using them, they still control the patents so Samsung and Google won't be able to use them regardless. This will not be a huge problem for Google and Samsung as long as they are innovative in coming up with alternatives to these two new technologies. These companies can turn this initial setback into a strength for them.
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