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From: doc@cxsea.UUCP (Documentation )
Newsgroups: net.cog-eng
Subject: Re: Apple patents
Message-ID: <470@cxsea.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 21-Oct-85 20:54:55 EDT
Article-I.D.: cxsea.470
Posted: Mon Oct 21 20:54:55 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Oct-85 05:40:56 EDT
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Organization: Computer X Inc., Seattle, Washington.
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> I've recently read about Apple's successful attempt to prohibit DRI
> from selling the GEM product because the GEM user interface incorporates
> certain patented features of the Macintosh user interface.  However,
> none of the articles I've seen have included much detail about exactly
> which features Apple has patented.  Does anyone know more specifics?  

Apple holds a patent (#4,464,652) awarded Aug. 7, 1984, entitled "Cursor
Control Device for use with Display Systems". In other words, they hold a
patent on the famous Lisa single-button mouse. Hard to believe. My guess is
they hold patents of equally-dubious strength on other Mac features which,
taken as a whole, are probably sufficient to intimidate a competitor. I'm
begining to wonder if perhaps there is an abuse of patent here.