Forgive me if you do not agree with this next statement but how can anyone have a patent on a rectangular phone with rounded corners. Please tell me how else do you design a phone with a rectangular touch screen? I mean look at flat screen TVs
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Different patents. Plus we think all smart phones are like that one but Apple took a risk in 2007 with the iPhone. No other smart phone looked like it back them. The critics/ analysts complained about the lack of a physical keyboard. Then all of sudden it becomes a hit. And the copycat artists then try to make their own version. The shape is part of Apple's trade dress just as much as the wavy bottle is part of Coke's.
That really is the only thing claimed: a rectangle with rounded corners, no other design elements whatsoever. Not a button, a microphone cutout or anything else. There's lots of superfluous dotted lines included in various drawings but the only design feature Apple is asking protection for is shown with a solid line. And the only thing with a solid line? A rounded rectangle.
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You can’t. Fortunately, Apple doesn’t.
Are TVs phones?
Do you hear Panasonic suing Samsung over the TV designs or visa versa?
Do you see either of them innovating whatsoever?
Different patents. Plus we think all smart phones are like that one but Apple took a risk in 2007 with the iPhone. No other smart phone looked like it back them. The critics/ analysts complained about the lack of a physical keyboard. Then all of sudden it becomes a hit. And the copycat artists then try to make their own version. The shape is part of Apple's trade dress just as much as the wavy bottle is part of Coke's.
Apple did eventually get their design patent for an electronic device in the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners.
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1701443/USD670286S1.pdf
That really is the only thing claimed: a rectangle with rounded corners, no other design elements whatsoever. Not a button, a microphone cutout or anything else. There's lots of superfluous dotted lines included in various drawings but the only design feature Apple is asking protection for is shown with a solid line. And the only thing with a solid line? A rounded rectangle.
Little to worry about tho IMO. You'll never see Apple assert this one in an infringement case as it's highly likely invalid.
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/world-of-tech/apple-gets-what-it-always-wanted-patent-for-round-edge-rectangle-1110942
Amadan
I learned a new word today!