Apple Patents Shutting Down Phones and Functions

[Renegade]

Not that you needed 1 more reason to not get an iPhone, but... This really is the final word for anyone that wants their phone to be THEIR phone and doesn't want to be screwed with by some arbitrary silliness.

http://patft.uspto.g...ple+AND+ISD/20120828)

Now they can shut down any aspect of your phone that they want, at any time, for any reason. Yeah... This will end well... 

Apparatus and methods for enforcement of policies upon a wireless device

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for changing one or more functional or operational aspects of a wireless device, such as upon the occurrence of a certain event. In one embodiment, the event comprises detecting that the wireless device is within range of one or more other devices. In another variant, the event comprises the wireless device associating with a certain access point. In this manner, various aspects of device functionality may be enabled or restricted (device "policies"). This policy enforcement capability is useful for a variety of reasons, including for example to disable noise and/or light emanating from wireless devices (such as at a movie theater), for preventing wireless devices from communicating with other wireless devices (such as in academic settings), and for forcing certain electronic devices to enter "sleep mode" when entering a sensitive area.

Lots of articles out there on it.

This is so wide open to abuse that it's not even funny.

[Stoic Joker]

Gives me a great idea for a Dead Spider virus. Take one infected device broadcasting control codes and walk through a mall, it then completely shuts down any device in range causing it to shrivel up like a dead spider, and only able to broadcast the shutdown control codes it was given. Now you get an exponentially growing circle of Dead Spiders.

[Renegade]

Gives me a great idea for a Dead Spider virus. Take one infected device broadcasting control codes and walk through a mall, it then completely shuts down any device in range causing it to shrivel up like a dead spider, and only able to broadcast the shutdown control codes it was given. Now you get an exponentially growing circle of Dead Spiders.

-Stoic Joker (September 04, 2012, 11:57 AM)

That is evil brilliant evil no brilliant no evil...

Either way, I love it!

[40hz]

Hmm...now that "smartphones have replaced rifles" I guess they need to ensure we won't ever have a Russian or Arab Spring here, huh? 

[Renegade]

Hmm...now that "smartphones have replaced rifles" I guess they need to ensure we won't ever have a Russian or Arab Spring here, huh? 

-40hz (September 04, 2012, 12:17 PM)

Reminds me --- I saw something that made me laugh pretty hard:

George Washington didn't use his first amendment rights to defeat the British. He shot them.

[TaoPhoenix]

I am almost beyond caring. All I have left is the Canary Server mindset. (It's a term of which I lost the exact source I got it from. )
Basically, it means things like "Today I was not arrested as a Terrorist. " (Next day) "Today I was not arrested as a Terrorist." (Third day) "..." (Proverbial Crickets).

They're getting more brazen. I can't fight it all anymore.

[40hz]

Hmm...now that "smartphones have replaced rifles" I guess they need to ensure we won't ever have a Russian or Arab Spring here, huh? 

-40hz (September 04, 2012, 12:17 PM)

Reminds me --- I saw something that made me laugh pretty hard:

George Washington didn't use his first amendment rights to defeat the British. He shot them.

-Renegade (September 04, 2012, 12:23 PM)

Well...Uncle Sam says "That works for me too!" as he puts a call in to mobilize the police and military. "Damn these dissidents! We're way too soft on people who buck the system."

[KynloStephen66515]

* Stephen66515 spies another Apple post

* Stephen66515 proceeds to leave an interesting image on said post...

* Stephen66515 is proceeding

* Stephen66515 has proceeded

* Stephen66515 </procedure>

* Stephen66515 end post

[Stoic Joker]

Now ^that^ is funny 

[40hz]

^ It is funny! But too bad it's now the first to file instead of the first to invent under the new US Patent law.

[Renegade]

^ It is funny! But too bad it's now the first to file instead of the first to invent under the new US Patent law.

-40hz (September 04, 2012, 05:04 PM)

Y'know... It would be interesting to see what the parallel universe is like where that actually makes at least a tiny iota of sense.

When did that law insanity get passed rammed down the people's throats?

@Stephen - I love those pics! Hilarious~!

[zridling]

What goes around, comes around:

Chinese Copycat Company Copies Apple's Phone -- And Its Patent Lawsuit Strategy!
http://www.cultofmac...-ban-sales-in-china/
The GooPhone i5 is a "pre-emptive" counterfeit of the upcoming iPhone 5, based on leaked photos and other information. It runs Android Jellybean. Copycat rip-off iPhone clones are nothing new -- even ones that come out before Apple ships. But now, GooPhone i5 people are threatening to sue Apple, saying they've patented the design of the phone in China and intend to block Apple's sales of the iPhone 5 there.

[Renegade]

What goes around, comes around:

Chinese Copycat Company Copies Apple's Phone -- And Its Patent Lawsuit Strategy!
http://www.cultofmac...-ban-sales-in-china/
The GooPhone i5 is a "pre-emptive" counterfeit of the upcoming iPhone 5, based on leaked photos and other information. It runs Android Jellybean. Copycat rip-off iPhone clones are nothing new -- even ones that come out before Apple ships. But now, GooPhone i5 people are threatening to sue Apple, saying they've patented the design of the phone in China and intend to block Apple's sales of the iPhone 5 there.

-zridling (September 05, 2012, 02:28 AM)

That. Is. HILARIOUS~!

It seems to me that there is some room for innovation here though... And it seems crystal clear that new innovation is needed in the education system to come up with classes in douchbaggery. The whole world is moving in that direction so fast. I kind of feel cheated that I was never properly taught how to be a douchebag...  Maybe I can sue for that... 

[40hz]

When did that law insanity get passed rammed down the people's throats?

-Renegade (September 05, 2012, 12:56 AM)

It was part of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) of 2011.

The "first to file" rule will become effective in the USA on March 13, 2013.

Interestingly, the Unites States is the only country that had not adopted a "first to file" rule for patents up until the passage of the AIA. So when it comes to legal douchebaggery (love that expression  ), it would seem the USA was behind the curve. For once.

Oh well...fixed now!

[Mark0]

That Braun vs Apple is fantastic! 

[Stoic Joker]

But too bad it's now the first to file instead of the first to invent under the new US Patent law

-40hz (September 04, 2012, 05:04 PM)

Great, now all they need is a disgruntled employee to smuggle out a few drawings and file for a patent on a cutting edge project. Bet they'll be grooving on that new system then.