Since we are talking about patents in class and how everyone seems to be in a race to patent everything I thought this article was a good choice. It is about Apple trying to get a patent on their multitouch gestures technology that is found on their laptops, smart phones, and tablets. The problem with this is that some people are concerned that this would affect the standardization of certain gestures in dealing with this multitouch technology. In a quote from wired, "If Apple's patent applications are successful, other manufacturers may have no choice but to implement multitouch gestures of their own." This means that there will be certain movement you must do with your fingers on the touchpad to perform certain task. Much of the industry wants to avoid this is possible, but a standard in dealing with multitouch gestures will most likely happen at some point in the future especially since Synaptics is also working on creating a set of universal movement. I guess the race will be for the patent. As we've seen in class when two people have the same "idea" thing can get messy.
Research In Motion Patents Touchscreen BlackBerry DesignThis is just another article on a famous company looking to make claims on new technology. While the touch screen and the slide out keyboard are nothing new to cell phones this article is on Research in Motions new patent on the touch screen Blackberry design. They have yet to work on this model, but one may be available in the near future. Research in Motion has recently brought out new devices that they say are going to appeal to more consumer and not just business people. This is a good example of how in order to insure that they get a patent a company will often go ahead and patent a design before it has even been tested. That is how obsessed we've become about ownership and making sure we get all the credit we can. In some cases like this, get credit by putting everyone else's patens together in a new way and calling it something different. This also shows how it is much easier for big business to claim patents above the "little guy."
The Patent Reform Act will harm the U.S. technology industryThis article is about the future of patents and how it looks like it is going to affect us. The Patent Reform Act of 2007 has passes in the House and is waiting to be voted on in the Senate. This Act will "make it easier to challenge issued patents and harder for patent holders to obtain compensation through the U.S. legal system." Basically it comes down to a debate between big technology companies and licensing companies. Big companies sell products and services and they say that innovation is being stifled by patent abuses in the current system and want it changed. The licensing companies say that the act will limit the patent holder's rights and stifle innovation. Even thought the arguments are for innovation it is pretty clear to see that what both enterprises are worried most about is their business model and making money. Overtime U.S. companies actually manufacture fewer products and we are also under strict competitive pressure from other companies. We still are the world leader though. We invent and have a way of defense against offenders. The reform will weaken this defense by weakening the rights of the U.S. patent holders and the offending company. This will also spread to overseas. Basically this article tells us that this act will hurt the competitiveness of the U.S. technology industry at a time when we are not really able to afford it. I thought this article tied in well to what we are studying because it is showing the future and what we are leaning toward decision wise in dealing with patents.