The latest
Apple v. Samsung case is just the tip of the iceberg.
In
a trend Matt Asay recently dubbed ‘patent insanity’, the likes of Google,
Nokia, HTC and even Amazon have joined old culprit Microsoft in turning their
attention to feuding over IP. This
pattern is leading to concerns that innovation will be stifled in the
electronic market.
After
the introduction of the Android smartphone in January 2010 the late Steve Jobs declared: ‘I’m
going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this’.
His
infamous knack for prediction would appear to be on the money once again as
bloggers liken battles over IP between corporate giants to ‘WWIII’. Certainly, IP suits have become fiercer, and
with higher stakes.
The
latest suit launched by Google against Apple threatens to ban iPhones, iPads
and iPods from entry into the U.S., worth an estimated $120 billion in annual
revenue.
Clearly,
the current climate is not one in which to underestimate the value of IP. If you are in doubt as to whether or not your
invention ought to be patented or be protected in some other way, we can offer
specialist advice.