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Patents and Acquisitions

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Apple Gets Patent on MacBook Air Design. Beware, Ultrabook Makers. Apple was just awarded 19 patents, one of which is for the design of the MacBook Air.

Apple Gets Patent on MacBook Air Design. Beware, Ultrabook Makers

In theory, Apple could leverage its patent on the Air to try and block manufacturers of other light, thin laptops from marketing their products in the U.S. The patent, No. D654,072, refers to an "ornamental design for an electronic device," and lists Steve Jobs as one of its inventors. While the term "MacBook Air" isn't cited, the drawings of a laptop with tapered design is unmistakable. Just before the patent was awarded on Valentine's Day, a report on 9to5 Mac alleged that Apple had approached one of its Taiwanese suppliers, Pegatron, about ceasing production of another laptop with an eerily similar design, the Asustek Zenbook. Pegatron, which recently began manufacturing iPhones for Apple, will reportedly cease Zenbook production in March, forcing Asus to look elsewhere. Although the action, if true, occurred prior to the date when the U.S. [via Patently Apple] Apple Wins Partial Victory on Patent Claim Over Android Features.

Apple Wins Smartphone Patent Lawsuit. Photo by PATRICK LIN/AFP/Getty Images Another day another extension of patent monopoly rights as the U.S.

Apple Wins Smartphone Patent Lawsuit

International Trade Commission rules in favor of Apple and against HTC on the subject of so-called "data tapping" technology. The "technology" in question is the way that on a modern smartphone if you read a phone number in an email, on a web page, or in a text message the number will display as a kind of hyperlink. Click the number, and you can call. Similarly, a date and time will appear as a clickable link that will swiftly take you into your calendar ap and schedule an appointment. It's important to note that when courts or the ITC rule that Apple has a patent on "technology" like this, that's not the same as saying that they have a copyright.

In the long run, all the smartphone litigation isn't going to end up giving a decisive advantage to any of the incumbent players.