Apple trying to ban the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Apple is currently trying to ban the Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the United States, though it sounds like the company is really trying to go after Android 4.0. Apple claims that Google is violating a number of key software patents in Android 4.0. If the courts rule in Apple’s favour, then all manufacturers putting the latest Android OS on their devices, could be taken to court by Apple. The patents at stake are below:

US Patent No. 5,946,647 – this patent was filed in 1996 (issued 1999) and covers detecting data, such as a phone number, in an email or web page, creating a link to that data, and initiating an action like calling the phone number when the user selects the link. The data could also include addresses, dates, etc.

US Patent No. 8,086,604 – this patent claims priority back to 2000 (issued Dec. 2011) and covers searching multiple sources of information (on device and elsewhere) through a single search interface, such as Siri. Apple specifically touts Siri in its injunction request, but also argues that a unified text search is covered by the patent as well.

US Patent No. 8,046,721 – this patent claims priority back to 2005 (issued Oct. 2011) and covers Apple’s signature slide-to-unlock feature. While Apple already has patent coverage on an image unlock feature, this newest patent is obviously intended to be a bit broader — likely addressing potential workarounds implemented by Google and OEMs over the last couple of years.

US Patent No. 8,074,172 – this patent was filed in 2007 (issued Dec. 2011) and covers providing word suggestions while the user types on a touchscreen keyboard, where the suggestions can be accepted or rejected by the user.

Apple already won a ruling over patent 5,946,647 back in December, which prevented HTC from importing and selling the Sprint Evo 4G, Verizon Droid Incredible, AT&T Aria, and T-Mobile G2. All of Apple’s other patents are relavitely new, having been issued in late 2011.

Do you think that Apple has the right to sue over certain features in Android, when they were only issued the patents late last year?

Source: The Verge