Blackberry Storm and Apple's patents

[ProwlingTiger]

So, I'm reading reviews of the Storm. I have a friend looking into it who is considering it. For kicks and grins, I haggled with Verizon (customer of 15 years) and was able to get a reduced price on the phone for $150. I need a 3G for the network and I've still got a bit left on my Verizon contract, but thats besides the point.

Anyway, I'm sitting here reading reviews, and Barack Obama! Its so much like the iPhone. Visual voicemail. Tilt/Accelerometer, and get this: an application for iTunes syncing!

Now, what with Apple's lawsuit and all on Pystar, I wonder did Apple have patents on any of this? Or is it just Apple not trying to patent every trivial thing *cough*Microsoft browser tabs*cough* ?

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, I think there should be a discussion on this, as people like myself would care to know just what all patents Apple indeed has on the iPhone. I know they've had loads of applications in recent years, and I've done a patent search, but I'm tired and don't care to read through all of them. Has anyone else been inclined to do so, and having read them, can you state your conclusion?

Sorry, I may be over-analyzing this, just sent a chill through my spine as I read about this phone.

 

[pdjudd]

Apple does have trademarks related to multi-touch technology, but not to touch screen concepts in general nor do they have any ownership on the capacitance screen that the Storm uses. RIM is not going to risk any sort of lawsuit over touchscreen technologies that Apple owns. They do not incorporate any of the multi touch features any more than the Samsung Instinct or the other touch screen phones on the market.

RIM is safe.

 

[ProwlingTiger]

Apple does have trademarks related to multi-touch technology, but not to touch screen concepts in general nor do they have any ownership on the capacitance screen that the Storm uses. RIM is not going to risk any sort of lawsuit over touchscreen technologies that Apple owns. They do not incorporate any of the multi touch features any more than the Samsung Instinct or the other touch screen phones on the market.

RIM is safe.

Oh I had no doubt Apple is safe. I was just wondering how specific their patents are. After this Pystar deal, it got me wonder, perhaps I over-analyze this.