Apple's '949 multitouch patent tentatively declared invalid by USPTO

[lothar]

"Rubber band" patent is gone, and now "Multi-touch" is gone.
Is "Slide to unlock" next?

 

[Strk]

Don't forget that a tap is just a zero-point slide

 

[jpeyton]

:thumbsup: Another win for consumers.

 

[TekDemon]

This doesn't mean all that much though, a lot of the time companies whose patents are invalidated are allowed to make changes to the wording that would again make the patents valid, so these tentative declarations don't mean much.

 

[jpeyton]

This doesn't mean all that much though, a lot of the time companies whose patents are invalidated are allowed to make changes to the wording that would again make the patents valid, so these tentative declarations don't mean much.

If Apple has to change the wording to their patent, any legal verdicts previously rendered using this patent will be declared invalid.

 

[lothar]

This doesn't mean all that much though, a lot of the time companies whose patents are invalidated are allowed to make changes to the wording that would again make the patents valid, so these tentative declarations don't mean much.

It was declared invalid on all 20 points. Not just a few points, not just some...all. Apple would have to prove otherwise.
And even if they do make changes in the wording of their patents, that means any ruling made based on the previous wording of their patent won't stand.

 

[WelshBloke]

... that means any ruling made based on the previous wording of their patent won't stand.

Is that true? What happens if a fine was levied? Does it have to be paid back?

 

[Oyeve]

Is that true? What happens if a fine was levied? Does it have to be paid back?

One can only hope.

 

[openwheel]

great for the consumers!!!