Patents are important for technology companies because they help protect their rights to promote and defend their brands. In an industry in which cheaper knockoffs are always just around the corner, a patent can make a huge difference in any legal battle. Apple knows this, which is why they constantly patent their ideas, even if they never actually come to market with said concepts. However, when a patent is won for something particularly market-transformative, the benefits are immediately obvious.
To wit: Apple has recently won several patents for technologies that many companies have used in various products, most notably for touchscreen devices like the iPhone. Obviously, this is a huge win for Apple, and will make any future lawsuits concerning such properties easily won, if not outright dismissed.
Other notable patents are for their Front Row software interface, the iMac's edge-to-edge glass screen, and a MicroDVI connector.
Via PatentlyApple
purplemaizenjm
June 22, 2011 at 5:00pm
congrats to Apple for fighting back... I am tired of people suing them for every little thing.. now tables shall turn..
