Found Footage: Apple vs. Predator
Molly Wood of "Buzz Out Loud" issued a call earlier this week to make an Apple vs. Predator video and YouTube user Kelvington stepped up to the challenge. The video shows that the Predators invented the "slide to unlock" feature circa 1987 and are pissed that Steve Jobs stole their idea. However, instead of ripping Steve's spine out, the video mocks that things are "about to get litigious."
One cool thing about the video is that it shows other clips of iPad and multitouch tech in past movies and TV shows like Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Minority Report. It's always interesting to remember that while some sci-fi movie tech is based on actual applied science, sci-fi can spur the imagination of scientists and technologists to create technologies that were once only in the domain of science fantasy fiction.
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Molly Wood of "Buzz Out Loud" issued a call earlier this week to make an Apple vs. Predator video and YouTube user Kelvington stepped up...
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The way the stupid patent system works, prior art is unfortunately a very weak patent defense. You have to show that EVERY element of the patent appears simultaneously in your prior art to escape the clutches of the patent. In the video I see a whole lot of sliding going on, but no mobile devices. Sorry but that means the courts are going to completely ignore all these examples. Legally speaking they are not valid prior art. The differences are trivial and obvious, but that is the way the stupid system works.
A much better way to escape the clutches of a patent is to show you don't infringe because to make that argument you only have to find ONE tiny difference between what is described in the patent and what it is that you do. For example a mobile device that required you to use 2 sliders to unlock would amazingly enough probably escape the patent. As would one where you have to turn a virtual dial, or tap a button before you slide, or a zillion and one other tiny obvious variations. Legally speaking these are different devices. I know the differences are trivial and obvious, but that is the way the stupid system works.
The patent system is broken, silly and sucks. Unfortunately it is the law and you have no choice but to play by their ridiculous rules. Choose an argument which exploits the silliness of the rules, not one which is defeated by them.
the patent isn't protecting "sliding a finger across a touch screen" - its protecting a way to unlock a mobile device. You can't patent an idea, but you can patent an implementation of implementation something, e.g. slide finger across the screen to unlock it. No one had this before, nothing in the video does either, not even the predator, he isn't unlocking the mobile device. ANyway, fun and games as usual - happy friday.
March 26 2010 at 6:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThis is not even fair because is it totally different technologies! If you notice the Predator touch slide is being controlled by a claw when in fact, Steve Jobs has not been able to duplicate their, I'm sorry to say, much more advance technologies! We have yet to see fingernails activate finger-sensing-only touch screens. I think the aliens should just settle out of court though. Or perhaps Steve could trade them something for their technology!
March 26 2010 at 6:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMolly wood hates all things apple and worships google
March 26 2010 at 6:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOh wow. That link is one OLD CNET PAGE. Why not link to bol.cnet.com? Much better and has the new redesign. Just sayin'.
March 26 2010 at 5:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe predators might have advanced laser sights, hunting claws, and thermal vision, but Steve has the Reality Distortion Field. I think Steve would win.
March 26 2010 at 5:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe best parody of all time is I think the one made by of course... collegehumor. This one is really laughable. More: http://bit.ly/ipad-mockery-vieo-compilation
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