SAN FRANCISCO (AFP)--Apple Inc. (AAPL) has won a U.S. patent for
touch-screen controls and gained a potential legal weapon against
iPhone competitors.
U.S. Patent 7,479,949 is awarded to "(Steve) Jobs et al" for a
method of "detecting one or more finger contacts with the touch
screen display" to command computing devices.
A multi-page patent available online at the U.S. Patent and
Trade Office Monday details iPhone or iPod Touch commands such as
finger or thumb swiping, twisting, or spreading to flip pages,
rotate views, or enlarge images.
The patent was issued last week, a day before Apple Jan. 21
announced record-high quarterly profits.
Word of the patent provides ominous context for a warning made
by Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook during a conference call
that followed release the California firm's earnings report.
Cook said he believes iPhones are "years ahead of the
competition" and that they are vigilantly watching to make certain
rivals don't usurp Apple's intellectual property.
"We think competition is good," Cook said. "We are ready to suit
up and go against anyone. However, we will not stand for having our
IP ripped off and will use whatever weapons at our disposal."
While not mentioning a specific competitor, Cook made his
comment in reply to a question related to a new Palm Inc. (PALM)
Pre touch-screen mobile telephone unveiled at the Consumer
Electronics Show this month to stellar reviews.
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