“Filed in the Central District of California Western Division, NetAirus claims that Apple’s iPhone infringes ‘380 patent,” Dalrymple reports. “The patent issued on September 5, 2006 and held by NetAirus describes a ‘Wireless Handset Communication System.'”
“Unlike some patent lawsuits that claim part of a company’s product infringes on its patent, NetAirus seems to claim the entire iPhone concept is infringing on its patent,” Dalrymple reports. “NetAirus claims that the iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS all infringe on this patent.”
Dalrymple reports, “The lawsuit is asking the court to stop Apple from making the iPhone and cash damages.”
Full article, with NetAirus’ patent description, here.
MacDailyNews Take: If that patent isn’t deemed to be overly broad, it’s hard to imagine what patent would be.
Oh, spare us!
It took them 3 YEARS to figure this out?
This means they can/will sue EVERY phone manufacturer?
wow, why not sue all handset manufacturers, they seem to be infringing more than apple…”hinged Keyboard?” really?
Magic word: concept
Apple has done all the hard work and now these guys think they are going to cache in cause they watched a few Star Trek episodes and then patented the idea of the communicator. Unbelievable. The patent system is effed.
Their patent also covers to dixie cups with a piece of string between them.
I think some patent clerk somewhere needs to learn how to review prior art… I guess there were no Wireless Handset Communication Systems around PRIOR to 5 September 2006… or it took over 20 years to review all of the claims and the patent was still issued…
Sounds like 8ull $hit to me…
After reading the summary description – the suit will not fly. But who knows in todays crazy phuqued up legal world!
Cheers from the land downunder!
“this parrot is dead”…
“Systems can be configured in a portable arrangement similar to conventional notebook computers, but can be quickly and easily disassembled and re-assembled for office desktop uses.”
Aaaaaand how exactly does that come anywhere near an iPhone? Perhaps the iPad with the keyboard dock is a bit closer? Still doesn’t have that hinged keyboard though. Every POS flip phone made in the last decade is light years closer to this patent than the iPhone is. I’d call these guys morons, but they’re not good enough for that.
lmao … okay, that was funny. This is a joke. Right?
I read through their patent application and what they describe could be applied to just about anything and some of the specifics don’t even apply.
No case. Next.
Yeah, I had a similar situation with Mother Nature.
I had the idea for oxygen before she did and she went ahead and implemented her own version.
I’m still waiting to see how successful her version of Air is and then I’m going to claim it and sue her.
MacRumors reports that this appears to be a one-man shop that has attempted to sue multiple corporations over the years under different company names.
This isn’t going to go far, and I’m surprised that this has caught this much attention.
Lawyers r the scourge of humanity! Greed corrupts absolutely!
I have a patent pending on the concept of talking, so every one of you had better shut up right now or I’ll SUE!!!!!!
Seems like a new unenforceable patent every week now. BTw, i’m guessing BBerries, Palms & Droids don’t fit this description? Absolutely ridiculous..
I’ve written several patents and am a named inventor on 15 patents and am the primary inventor on a couple. I am rather familiar with the basics of patent theory and the requirements that an invention be unobvious and novel to someone skilled in the art. I’ve looked at both 5,983,073 and 7,103,380.
In my humble opinion, NetAirus was simply trying to patent the obvious concept of having both Bluetooth and WiFi in any portable device.
I doubt they will win.
New update NetAirus is currently preping a lawsuit against all of mankind. To identify if you are at risk answer the questions below.
1. Do you have the ability to comunicate with your voice?
2. Can you message people with your hands? ie flip them the bird.
3. Can you view things with your eyes?
If you answered yes to any of the 3 questions you are at risk. Stop comunicating at once! Yup this lawsuit is full blown retarded.
While the patent does not sound at all like an iPhone (where is the iPhone’s hinge or “keyboard assembly”, it does sound like netbooks from all of the various manufacturers. I hope HP and Dell paid for patent licensing from these guys…
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Geesh… would somebody in power please just revoke the whole patent system already?
Broken. Beyond. Repair.
Another company stretching an old patent to try and get rich by suing Apple. First of all a hinged keyboard is something the iPhone does not use or have. The keyboard used by the iPhone is described as a touch keyboard, not a hinged keyboard!! Flip phones could be described as having a hinged keyboard, again not the iPhone.
Wireless Handset Communication System. We used to call those Walkie Talkies. Actually, just cupping your hands over your mouth and shouting would qualify.
The US Patent Office has outdone itself approving this patent.
I want a patent that says, “You plug it in”.
That’s it. Includes everything from toasters to the Space Shuttle.
I’m gonna be richer than Billy Gates.
Oh thank goodness they brought this up in a timely manner.
what a bunch of morons. why sue apple and why now? and who the fuck granted so broad patent? this is completely insane – they can sue anyone, even star trek
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Everybody infringes on everything I created.
Give it back!
Here in new Hampshire, it’s the season for black files, ticks, and mosquitos, which are busily at work. It seems the blood suckers in the business world are as well. The difference is the latter are always in season. Ayuh!