News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

January 18, 2007

legal

iPhone skins are only legal suit deep

Posted Jan. 18, ’07, 6:34 AM PT by Derik DeLong
Category | Legal

iPhone Skin Steve wasn’t kidding when he said Apple would protect its 200+ patents related to the iPhone. Today’s target is iPhone skins for other phones. I got a kick out of the following paragraph.

Ironically, Apple’s attempts to have the files removed from the web have only given the skins greater publicity, and they have already begun spreading to other websites.

Right, Apple totally didn’t see this coming (end sarcasm). Apple wants to add to the mystique that’s becoming the iPhone. The skin isn’t going to detract from their sales, it’s only going to enhance them. Users will stare at a cheap knock-off for hours until their will power is broken and they give in the desire for the genuine article complete with the real appearance and features.

The point of the lawsuit is to make the skin more desirable, promoting use, as well as getting Apple another boatload of free press. At this point, I think Apple’s legal department is more effective than its marketing department.


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