Mobile technology is evolving in such a rapid pace, but with constant innovation comes patent trolling when gestures and functionality is concerned. Well, in the latest litigation suit, a Texas shell company says Apple and others have infringed on technology for basic smartphone gestures like dragging and “double tap.” Yes, you heard correct.
The company filed a lawsuit called “Touchscreen Gestures,” which accuses devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and BlackBerry Playbook infringe on its technology. The patents in question are: US Patent 7190356 (“A method of identifying double tap gesture”), US Patent 7180506 (“A method for identifying a movement of single tap 7180506) and US Patent 7184031 (“A method identifying a drag gesture”).
All of these patents were issued in 2007 and 2008 to Taiwanese company Sentelic, a privately held company that makes touch-pads. Truth is, The fact that a gas station has joined in on this kind of patent trolling is evidence that the patent system is fundamentally broken, and needs a serious overall in how these cases should be regulated. It won’t be surprising if other industries jump in, because the system is so flawed, companies can snatch up patents in trying to extort a few million dollars away from mega tech companies like Apple or RIM.
That said, since the system is so flawed, it’s smart to acquire patents to make a business of suing loaded companies like Apple. That’s America … that’s capitalism.
[via paidContent]