“Ultrabooks are also facing threats from Apple and its design patents for MacBook Air, and ultrabook players will need to spend more manpower and time on R&D to avoid violating these patents,” Monica Chen and Joseph Tsai report for DigiTimes, citing “sources from the upstream supply chain.”

The sources also said that “the issue has already caused some vendors to hesitate in their ultrabook plans,” Chen and Tsai report.

Read more in the full article here.

Sam Oliver reports for AppleInsider, “Apple has shown a willingness to protect its patented designs for mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad, as evidenced by numerous lawsuits filed by Apple against competing device makers. But while Apple has been aggressive in protecting the design of its iOS devices, it has not yet taken aim at Ultrabook makers who compete with its MacBook Air lineup.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Case in point: the HP FakeBook Air. Oh, wait: They took the black bezel from Apple’s MacBook Pro and slapped it onto their fake MacBook Air. Quelle différence!

HP FakeBook Air (Envy Spectre XT)

HPsung. “Invent.”

At least the printer cartridge peddlers named their FakeBook Air truthfully: “Envy.” Apple envy, obviously.

Related articles:
Apple’s grip on metal chassis supplies leaves PC ‘ultrabook’ makers in a lurch – July 5, 2012
Ultrabook-makers beware: Apple now owns broad patent on MacBook Air wedge design – June 7, 2012
The PC market’s last, best hope: Apple MacBook Air wannabes – May 14, 2012
HP ‘designer’ on HP’s MacBook Air clone: ‘Apple may like to think they own silver, but they don’t’ – May 9, 2012