Imitation = Flattery = Lawsuit?

CubaMark · Apr 2nd, 2012, 09:12 AM

	Quote:
	This is the new Lenovo IdeaPad U310 (and U410)

(9to5mac.com)

macintosh doctor · Apr 2nd, 2012, 10:12 AM

i don't think there is a patient on similar looks.. All Apple can do is threaten the assembly plant [as they did for the asus model] - that they will not use them..
but lenovo is large enough that the plant will say what ever..

Andrew Pratt · Apr 2nd, 2012, 10:55 AM

At least the power button's on the opposite side

screature · Apr 2nd, 2012, 10:55 AM

Yeah you can't trademark or patent the "look" of something only the brand name or proprietary technology or manufacturing methods, etc.etc.

So while it is an obvious knock off looks wise there is nothing illegal about it... just a bad business move.

ehMax · Apr 2nd, 2012, 03:11 PM

You absolutely, 100%, no ifs-ands-or-buts can patent the look of something. I absolutely guarantee you can.

A business can patent a device, a design, a business method, software, a formula, a process, a recipe, an architectural building design and many other ideas.

Apple pays a patent to Amazon.ca for their "One-click to buy" process for the Apple online store.

For design patents, businesses can patent the look, form, and structure of a functional item.

A few things you could patent include designs for jewelry, clothing, furniture, a beverage container, even a computer icon. Thought of a new design for a watch faceplate? A creative outfit? A modern-looking chair? With design patent rights, nobody can use or import your design for 14 years unless you sell or license those rights. A famous design patent is Coca-Cola's unique bottle shape. Pepsi can not sell their product in a bottle the same shape as Coke's.

groovetube · Apr 2nd, 2012, 03:19 PM

it's so insanely exact that that can't possibly be legal.

zen.state · Apr 2nd, 2012, 03:30 PM

This is the computer designer/engineer equivalent of an artist that just traces other peoples work and makes it their own. I'm actually a bit disgusted by how much of a blatant copy it is.

Since it looks so similar they need to put a "Will not run Mac OS X" disclaimer on the box to protect the ignorant.

screature · Apr 2nd, 2012, 03:39 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by ehMax
	You absolutely, 100%, no ifs-ands-or-buts can patent the look of something. I absolutely guarantee you can. A business can patent a device, a design, a business method, software, a formula, a process, a recipe, an architectural building design and many other ideas. Apple pays a patent to Amazon.ca for their "One-click to buy" process for the Apple online store. For design patents, businesses can patent the look, form, and structure of a functional item. A few things you could patent include designs for jewelry, clothing, furniture, a beverage container, even a computer icon. Thought of a new design for a watch faceplate? A creative outfit? A modern-looking chair? With design patent rights, nobody can use or import your design for 14 years unless you sell or license those rights. A famous design patent is Coca-Cola's unique bottle shape. Pepsi can not sell their product in a bottle the same shape as Coke's.

Ahh I never said design I said look . Many things look like many others but they are not the same there are differences and so long as there are differences good luck with any lawsuit.

The look of something is a very grey area in terms of patent law.

Patentable subject matter Often being dependent on jurisdictional differences.

The Amazon case was not about look it was about functionality which is definitely patentable.

screature · Apr 2nd, 2012, 03:57 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by groovetube
	it's so insanely exact that that can't possibly be legal.

	Quote:			Originally Posted by zen.state
	This is the computer designer/engineer equivalent of an artist that just traces other peoples work and makes it their own. I'm actually a bit disgusted by how much of a blatant copy it is. Since it looks so similar they need to put a "Will not run Mac OS X" disclaimer on the box to protect the ignorant.

While I tend to agree that it is pretty obviously trying to look like a MacBook Pro it is really hard to tell for sure from a fuzzy photo from only one angle to see how much it actually looks like a MBP. I suspect there would be enough changes to the design to avoid a design patent suit, being that it is Lenovo, but you never know.

groovetube · Apr 2nd, 2012, 04:14 PM

maybe ask samsung about that.