(Image source: DeviantArt)
 

BY BRICE SANDER


If you’re holding an Android device, you might be helping Google break the law.

Apple now owns the patent for slide-to-unlock technology- meaning any device using that feature infringes on Apple’s creative rights. (Apple)

It took three years to snag the rights, so experts expect Apple to go after patent plagiarizers ASAP. As a ZDNet blogger notes, it’s just the way the system works.

“I hate that design elements can be patented, instead of actual devices which makes more sense. Apple has been riding the patentability of design elements for a while, and has a number of Android device makers on the ropes as a result.”

Apple’s patent wars have become the stuff of legend--says a TIME blogger-- especially the company’s ongoing fued with Samsung.

“Samsung's Galaxy Tab has been pulled off of the shelves in some countries, while in others its launch has been delayed. It was also rumored that Samsung's flagship Galaxy Nexus was purposely built to avoid patent infringement…”

So could this affect the new Android operating system? Droid Matters says it depends on how Apple views Droid’s new facial recognition unlock system.

“Google should definitely look into this, or maybe they already are. Because we don’t expect Apple, the patent ‘vampires’ they are, to sit still without filing another lawsuit.”

But the BBC quotes a techie who suggests there may be a loophole for Google and other Apple targets.

“‘…when [patents] are challenged there is a counter action to claim that the patent shouldn't have been granted’ … But Apple may still have a case … if the function of unlocking was shown to materially improve the performance of the hardware ‘…for example security.’”

Transcript by Newsy