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"A design patent may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture." [Source: http://www.uspto.gov/main/faq/index.html]

I really try to be objective when reading things about this as I'm fairly negative when it comes to Apple and Patent discussion but can someone possibly more impartial explain the validity of this application to me? The quote above itself seems pretty clear that neither a new or original idea has been presented here.



I completely agree. A quick image search for "Star Trek tablet" shows rounded corners, not to mention that many books for young children (babies and toddlers) feature rounded corners.

It seems an obvious design, especially since screens are currently rectangular, for ergonomic use. Even my laptop screen has rounded corners (purchased 2009).

I can understand if they filed for specific dimensions. I would agree that copying the dimensions of an iPad (within 1/8 inch or so) would be blatant patent infringement. I didn't read the patent, so I don't know if this is, in fact, what the patent details.


It makes more sense in the context of the top post referencing how narrow design patents are. It also makes more sense to think of them as being more about branding/trademark than patent.

So it's novel in the sense that nothing previously looked literally like an iPad. That narrow level of novelty also defines the narrow scope of the protection.


But this design patent would still make sense (I mean I'd still fight myself to do, but eventually I'll settle with that) if all the lines were unbroken in that. But as you can see, the only solid line there is the rounded rectangle. That means, they've got exclusive design right to make tablets with rounded rectangles. What am I missing (a genuine question).




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