According to a recent filing, Apple has started using illustrations for a patent that are a 1:1 copy of an application by another developer already in the App Store. The App is called Where To and FutureTap's founder, Ortwin Gentz, wrote a blog post noting that Apple used an illustration of his application in a patent filing entitled, "Systems and Methods for Accessing Travel Services using a Portable Electronic Device."

Gentz wrote in a blog, "At first, we couldn’t believe what we saw and felt it can’t be true that someone else is filing a patent including a 1:1 copy of our start screen. Things would be way easier of course if that 'someone else' would be really an exterior 'someone else.' Unfortunately, that’s not the case. We’re faced with a situation where we’ve to fear that our primary business partner is trying to 'steal' our idea and design. So how to deal with that?"

This isn't the first time that Apple has patented an app idea. According to Unwired View, Apple is also seeking patents on three application ideas: travel, hotel, and high fashion shopping.

Many developers are up in arms about patenting applications, and they have good reason, too. Because larger companies have the ability to hire massive legal teams, they can better protect their patents, while smaller developers are often left in the dust. That's why there are several groups committed to stopping software patents.

via GigaOM

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