There was already a bit of a protest after Apple recently filed a series of patent applications for mobile app concepts. Those that felt Apple’s intention to patent software functionality was unacceptable now have a lot more ammunition. One of the illustrations in the application appears to be a direct copy of an existing iPhone app called Where To.
There’s really no mistaking the similarity, this is no accident. This particular patent is “for integrating travel services in a single application available to a portable electronic device.” The owner of FutureTap, the maker of Where To is not amused saying, ” We’re faced with a situation where we’ve to fear that our primary business partner is trying to “steal†our idea and design.” Apple says they are not trying to steal the app’s functionality, they’re just using it as an example.
We’re no lawyers, but one of the important elements of a patentable invention is that it is a new idea, or a meaningful modification of an existing one. By straight-up copying this app, doesn’t that basically admit that there is “prior art”? What’s your take here?
Image via VentureBeat
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Apple Caught "Borrowing" App Interface in Patent Filing
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