- An Apple A Day
Unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard about the release of Apple’s new iPad tablet. This device purports to revolutionize the way we surf the web, watch DVD’s, text, email and otherwise use our PC’s and smart phones. Apple’s ability to offer new products that revolutionize or redefine new and existing markets is quite remarkable. They also recognize the fact that their competitors want a piece of Apple’s market share. In order to maintain and protect their business, Apple files several patents around their technologies.
Ironically, or maybe not, on the day that Steve Jobs introduced the iPad to the world, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent assigned to Apple on a touch screen with a built-in proximity sensor. Among the inventors listed on the patent was the “father of the iPod,” Tony Fadell who, as of 2008, no longer works for Apple. United States Patent No. 7,653,883 entitled “Proximity Detector in Handheld Device,” is directed to proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.
The patent discloses a touchscreen that can sense objects, like fingers in close proximity. Fingers could be sensed when they are close to the touchscreen, but not actually touching it.
Obviously Apple recognized the importance of patenting their inventions. Other issues also are brought to mind when reading the above. For example, one of the inventors, “the father of the iPod,” is no longer with Apple. The importance of an employment agreement obligating employees to assign their inventions to the company cannot be underestimated. Moreover, a well-managed invention disclosure and patent portfolio strategy is critical.
While competitors will look to imitate, or otherwise compete with Apple’s iPad, they will first have to deal with the Intellectual Property Apple has put in place.
Looking for an introduction to Intellectual Property and some of the most commonly asked questions about patents, copyrighting and trademarks? Download our Free Introduction to Intellectual Property White Paper.
