[Swordmaker]

TriDim claims that Apple should have known that their patents were good because Apple used their patents as examples of prior art in a previous trial . . . but all that is demonstrating is that others are using scrolling displays of data. That does NOT mean that their patent is valid. In fact the Courts invalidated the other patent as obvious.

I've read through both TriDim patents at issue and there's nothing in them that could possibly be construed to be infringed by any of the software that they list that Apple is using. First of all, their rudimentary 3D isn't 3D.

It appears that Xerox was attempting to create another Graphical User Interface. . . but most of the metaphors had been used before. The one possible unique thing was the ability of the user to add new interactive parts to the metaphor. . . but that is obvious, akin to adding a new folder. This attempt, like other similar ones which were deemed too cutesy, was abandoned by Xerox and these two patents were sold. They were traded around until TriDim, a non-performing entity, a patent troll, got its grubby hands on them.

There were "Room" metaphors before such as Microsoft Bob. . . and others for as diverse operating systems as AmigaOS, Atari, the Commodore-C64 and C-128, even the Macintosh, and a lot of their data maneuvering seems to have been borrowed heavily from Apple's Hypercard Stacks of the 1980s.

it is possible they are basing their complaint against Safari in iOS because the user can create new tabs. . . there-by "infringing" their "709" patent by adding new "rooms", but that would be a HUGE stretch of logic. I can find no other claim for them to hang their hats on. CoverFlow looks as if they are basing their claim on the fact they have flowing side-to-side navigation through "streets" with "buildings" that users can enter to find more "rooms" with "shelves" of "books" and "documents" and other things to do. This horizontal scrolling may be what they think they have a patent right to. . . ignoring the horizontal scrolling that was prior art in many other applications that existed prior to their application for the patent. Same for the front-to-back scrolling of TimeMachine.

[Swordmaker]

Apple is being sued by another "Non-Performing Entity", a patent troll, who claims they have two patents originated by Xerox in 1998, that Apple is somehow infringing with functions in CoverFlow, TimeMachine, and Safari in iOS. — PING!

Apple Patent Infringement Suit Ping!

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[Swordmaker]

Apple is being sued by another "Non-Performing Entity", a patent troll, who claims they have two patents originated by Xerox in 1998, that Apple is somehow infringing with functions in CoverFlow, TimeMachine, and Safari in iOS. — PING!

Apple Patent Infringement Suit Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[Star Traveler]

Apple has to make a lot of money ... simply to defend itself from these patent trolls!

[Dr. Sivana]

There were "Room" metaphors before such as Microsoft Bob. . . and others for as diverse operating systems as AmigaOS

And on the Atari 2600, you have to beware of the Mindmaster (Starpath/Arcadia)!

[House Atreides]

I’m all for LOSER PAYS in these frivilous lawsuits, but we’ll never get that as long as a ‘RAT is in the White House and until we have some national leadership with guts.

[dayglored]

It looks to me like their "3D room" is just another take on Microsoft BOB.

Anybody else remember Microsoft "BOB"???