Apple banned from selling popular models of iPhone & iPad after judge rules firm 'violated patent'

The London Daily Mail / The Associated Press ^ | June 5, 2013

[2ndDivisionVet]

A U.S. trade agency says it is banning imports of Apple's iPhone 4 after finding the device violates a patent held by rival Samsung Electronics.

Because the phone is assembled in China, the import would end Apple's ability to sell new iPhone 4 devices in the U.S.

The U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington issued a final ruling Tuesday in Samsung's suit against Apple.

The panel issued a limited import ban and a cease-and-desist order for AT&T models of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G.....

[Grampa Dave]

“But I was surprised, the phone was the most expensive - for 16 GB with cellular, the Mini is $459, the current iPad is $629, and an unlocked iPhone 5 is $649.”

Some unlocked I phones are priced at 800 to $900. or as one of our younger relatives says, = 2 I pad minis.

[Moltke]

Thanks for that clarification, which is a true statement of the principle underlying the whole ‘patent’ concept - you give (information published after the application) and you receive (exclusivity for a limited time). I might add that patent publications also serve to prevent wasteful spending to develop something that has already been invented.

If your business is able to retain its innovation by the way of trade secrets - good for you. Many inventions are not conducive to that strategy because they are easily recognized in the marketed product - hence the need for patent protection.

[kevkrom]

Well, I was comparing like to like as best as possible. Higher storage capacities for all models are more expensive, of course.

[TalonDJ]

Ah... another iSheep caught in the Job's Reality Distortion Field

No. I am a technical professional who regularly is involved in deriving product requirements, and evaluating customer needs. As an engineer I can admire something well crafted to meet a set of customer needs/wants. You can be snarky and insulting, and pat yourself on the back for being clever while innovators go out and do things that are actually cleaver.

[DarkSavant]

+1. He was a brilliant marketer that created a fanatical niche. Mind you, the products are polished, but the only aspect that could be described as innovative in his products are the user interfaces.

Take Tablet PC's. I remember developing the initial ones in college for a capstone project in 2003. I see the iPad come out several years later, LESS powerful than the tablets made that never got off the ground in college. To my surprise, they sell like mad to the crazy fanboys, which then creates enough selling momentum that average Joes start buying them. Look where we are today.

The only different I see in the iPad is the user interface was dumbed down and FAR less powerful than the interface Microsoft made for the Tablets.

I'll give Jobs credit where credit is due. He was a strong leader and knew how to play the game.