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    Apple MacBook Air Patented; Beware, Ultrabook Makers

    By Peter Pachal | Mashable – Wed, Feb 15, 2012

    Apple was just awarded 19 patents, one of which is for the design of the MacBook Air.

    In theory, Apple could leverage its patent on the Air to try and block manufacturers of other light, thin laptops from marketing their products in the U.S.

    [More from Mashable: Apple: Access to Contacts Will Require Explicit Permission]

    The patent, No. D654,072, refers to an "ornamental design for an electronic device," and lists Steve Jobs as one of its inventors. While the term "MacBook Air" isn't cited, the drawings of a laptop with tapered design is unmistakable.

    Just before the patent was awarded on Valentine's Day, a report on 9to5 Mac alleged that Apple had approached one of its Taiwanese suppliers, Pegatron, about ceasing production of another laptop with an eerily similar design, the Asustek Zenbook.

    [More from Mashable: Today’s Top Stories: Apple Cuts iAd Prices, HTC’s Streaming Music Service]

    Pegatron, which recently began manufacturing iPhones for Apple, will reportedly cease Zenbook production in March, forcing Asus to look elsewhere.

    Although the action, if true, occurred prior to the date when the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded Apple its patent on the MacBook Air, it shows that Apple won't hesitate to move against any competitor it sees as copying its ideas. The patent could embolden Apple to go after other makers of Ultrabooks, the Windows PC world's answer to the MacBook Air, a project that Intel spearheaded.

    SEE ALSO: How Intel Plans to Make Ultrabooks a Lot Cheaper [VIDEO]

    There are several Ultrabooks on the market now, with dozens more on the way. If Apple decides to go after Air clones the way it's waged its legal war against Android manufacturers, the consumer PC industry could be in trouble. Many companies -- with Intel in the lead -- have a lot riding on Ultrabooks, and the prospect of fighting Apple in court would make any CEO nervous.

    However, there's a simple way around the patent: Just design something different. Ultrabooks like the HP Spectre and Lenovo Yoga look nothing like the MacBook Air and should be in the clear.

    However, Dell and Samsung -- Apple's favorite legal target -- might want to start preparing counterarguments.

    BONUS: The Best, Worst and Craziest Ultrabooks From CES 2012

    Acer Aspire S5

    The skinny: Claiming to be the "world's thinnest" Ultrabook, the Acer Aspire S5 measures just 0.68 inches at its thickest point and weighs just 3 pounds. It has a 13.3-inch screen.

    Interesting feature: Besides its überthinness, the S5 also boasts next-generation connectivity with a Thunderbolt port, with provides a high-speed connection to peripherals. Acer's Always Connect tech keeps the machine logged into services when it goes to sleep, and you can wake it up via smartphone.

    Potential roadblock: The price, which is currently unknown.

    Bottom line: The Aspire S5's thickness certainly comes in well under Intel's guidelines. If it can perform the same trick with the price, Acer will have scored a home run.

    Click here to view this gallery.

    [via Patently Apple]

    This story originally published on Mashable here.

     

    9 comments

    • Robert
      Robert  •  Newark, New Jersey  •  3 mths ago
      Apple should just do what we all know it wants to do...

      Patent a "hand held communication device" and sue the estate of Alexander Graham Bell
    • StevenBradley
      StevenBradley  •  3 mths ago
      Apple is sweatshop crap.They act like they are revolutionary but still don't know what flash or a memory card is.You can't patent a laptop or any other item based solely on it's dimensions.Hope they take the other companies to court and waste a whole bunch of that stupid yuppie money in a losing cause.Steve Jobs is where he belongs for using suicide sweatshop laborers to fill his pockets.Don't RIP Stevie you corporate fascist #$%$
    • Mr.
      Mr.  •  Richardson, Texas  •  3 mths ago
      My Dell Adamo doesn't look like the Air, it's thinner.
    • D
      D  •  3 mths ago
      Oh you'll know Apple will try to enforce it's patent rights.
    • Kirk H
      Kirk H  •  Cumming, Georgia  •  3 mths ago
      Ahhh, seems the 99%'s beloved Apple is actually a Corporate monopolizer aiming to KILL off the competition. See, capitalism (and clever marketeers) are alive and well in the Apple worold.
    • Art
      Art  •  Burbank, California  •  3 mths ago
      They say immitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In business, however, it's called stealing. Way to go, Apple. Stand your ground. Protect the fruits of your labor and, above all, keep moving forward. We love your stuff. And as an AMERICAN company, you make me proud. You're proof we haven't TOTALLY lost our mojo.
    • Reuben
      Reuben  •  Los Angeles, California  •  3 mths ago
      The main problem here is that no other tech companies are innovating. What company that makes the same products as Apple (pads, laptops, mp3 players, smartphones etc) has bought a product to market that isn't a complete rip off of Apple? Android, touchscreen phones (actually anything touchscreen), pads, buying music online, the app. even phones in the color white are rip offs of apple. And I can go on. Hell, Apple had to teach those idiots on Madison Avenue how to advertise during the Superbowl. (Yes, they where the first to produce a commercial especially for the big game). And now all these other tech companies are finally coming out with ultrabooks? Well I had my Mac book Air since last August. And do they have to make them look exactly like macs? (even down to the black keys)
      I don't blame Apple for trying to protect their patents. It just seems like most tech companies research and development departments are nothing more than a bunch of people sitting around waiting for the next Apple product and then just copying it. If you have a smartphone (even if it's not a iphone) you should bow down and thank Apple, because if it wasn't for Apple, cell phones would still be flip phones with black and white screens and the internet on phones would just be graphics. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Steve Jobs. Thank you.
      • V
        V 3 mths ago
        This is an obtuse, arrogant statement. Thousand of people make contributions to technology daily.
      • Nonuna
        Nonuna 3 mths ago
        Typical Apple fanboi.
      • Reuben
        Reuben 3 mths ago
        I'm talking products here people. I know apple did not invent lots of the technology they use, that's why I said "innovate" not "invent". Name one PRODUCT that isn't a rip off of apple. I have not drank the kool aid. The first Apple product I bought (besides the ipod) was Iphone, but as they say "Once you go Mac, you can't back"
    • Keith
      Keith  •  3 mths ago
      This is the beginning of the end for Apple...now that it's run by lawyers rather than genius'es.
      • Robert
        Robert 3 mths ago
        Apple is not 'run by lawyers'. Did Apple just hire a bunch of lawyers to come in and run the company? NO. Apple has consistently tried to protect its intellectual property. The Layers are there to ensure other companies don't use Apple's IP and innovation to scam the market and take profit from the company.
      • B
        B 3 mths ago
        There will be problems, once again, for who ever is running it. Trying to claim that only Apple can use an on screen button to unlock the unit is like Amazon when they tried to say they invented shopping on line with the click of a mouse.
      • Razz
        Razz 3 mths ago
        Except, you know, Amazon DID invent 1-click and they license its use.
    • John
      John  •  3 mths ago
      Prior art exists in the form of Netbooks that have tapered front edges.. Patent reform cant come fast enough...
     Post a comment
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