Apple now spends more money on patenting stuff than it does on coming up with new ideas. That's the result of Steve Jobs' vow to "patent it all" when the iPhone was created.
Last year for the first time Apple spent more money on patenting ideas than on research and development -- the result of a strategy of patenting everything, after being stung by a patent challenge from a rival.
The New York Times reports that the all-encompassing patent policy came about only after 2006, when rival company Creative Technology launched a patent lawsuit that ultimately slapped Apple with a $100m fine over the iPod. Prior to that, Apple was less fussed about patenting technology.
Stung by the huge financial blow though, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs decided to patent everything from that point onwards. The Apple boss held monthly 'invention disclosure sessions', where engineers described what they were working on to lawyers, who would then put in a patent application -- even if they knew it wouldn't fly.
"If nothing else, it prevents another company from trying to patent the idea" said a former Apple legal eagle. At least one engineer washed his hands of the policy, refusing to participate in legal meetings because he felt no-one should own basic software concepts.
This approach to gathering patents has seen Apple granted more than 4,100 patents in the last decade -- which it has fiercely defended in many legal battles. Jobs, who died a year ago, hated being copied, vowing "thermonuclear war" on Google's Android operating system, which he saw as copied from Apple.
Ever since, Apple has been locked in a bitter legal dispute with Samsung and other Android phone manufacturers. The legal gamble doesn't always pay off, and Apple has been ordered to offer an embarrassing public apology to Samsung.
Is patent warfare out of control, or is Apple just protecting itself from specious attacks? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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anonymous 9 October, 2012 10:41
""who would then put in a patent application -- even if they knew it wouldn't fly. If nothing else, it prevents another company from trying to patent the idea" said a former Apple legal eagle. At least one engineer washed his hands of the policy, refusing to participate in legal meetings because he felt no-one should own basic software concepts."
Thats why, I will never buy another Apple product again. a bunch of Fascists!
Arby Bryce 9 October, 2012 11:09
Wonder how long it will be,til Apple say they invented and patented the wheel....
anonymous 9 October, 2012 11:14
or invented patents :-)
anonymous 9 October, 2012 11:43
I know that Steve Jobs brought the company back from the brink. But this has come to symbalize what the company has become. They do make good products, but they are not really innovating anymore. They are spending large amounts of money on patienting things which shouldn't be patiented in some cases and then large amounts of money on the courts cases afterwards.
The patient system needs an overhaul to prevents things that shouldn't be patiented from being patiented and to inspire more innovation.
anonymous 9 October, 2012 11:56
im guessing they are registering all these patents in the US as none of their cases have really held up anywhere else in the world?
anonymous 9 October, 2012 12:01
Apple would patent humans if it could and genetically modify them with half a brain so they are predisposed to Apple products from birth. Sure why bother with R@D when you can steal or copy ideas eh Apple and then patent them.
damien2501 9 October, 2012 12:07
It's a shame really because apple really do have the ability to innovate like no other company but they are spending all of their resources on patents rather than innovation. I think the "apple have patented, humans, patents, parents" jokes are well sad.
anonymous 9 October, 2012 12:20
i really don't get how a supposed 'intelligent' company cannot understand the basic human condition - that the more something is kept from us the more we want it. By warring with all other companies, Apple will end up chasing their customers elsewhere. Android now beats iOS hands down and the more Apple take their eye off the ball, the more poaching other companies will do. Madness - not business
anonymous 9 October, 2012 13:23
I think this is really unfair. Apple are a centre of creative genius and a desire to protect their products and ideas from the blatant copycats is only natural. Anyone who thinks that Samsung phones aren't just cheep imitations of the iPhone are clearly mad, or at least lack the basic level of sophistication to recognize the fact. A friend of mine has one of those plastic Galaxy things (more an acquaintance than a friend), other than the inferior build quality and bargain basement feel, there are many features slavishly copied from apple.
There is icon with a picture of a phone on it to make calls, works exactly the same as the iPhone. Another with a calendar on it, guess what that does. A third is a sort of map shape, here at least the Galaxy hasn't been able to equal the excellent Apple Maps, which is perfect in every way.
One last thing. I'm fed up people moaning that Apple no longer innovate. WHAT! After queuing for my newest iPhone and switching it on for the first time I was greeted by another row of icons. How long will it be before some Android fanboy creates a widget to copy that. Not long I imagine.
Arby Bryce 9 October, 2012 13:35
anonymous (13.23) There were plenty of Phones from other company's before Apple came along,lol...Apple really haven't done anything new since the 1st iPhone...Ok there phones are made from good materials,but new iPhone 5 Black scratches really easily.oh and a half inch bigger screen...Bid Deal!...They should just stick to Pc's!
anonymous 9 October, 2012 13:37
I am an Apple fan, and i'm also someone who has been in the industry for many years. I love the creativity of the company, but on the business side, every company is now at risk of lawsuits that are crippling business and creativity. It's easy to see why Jobs but this in place, and it makes perfect sense for a company of this nature, however unfortunate. A company can create a brilliant idea, but unless they patent it, someone else can patent the idea, and then the lawyers come in. Even the threat of legal challenge, with a company knowing they own the patent and idea, does not stop patent trolling and the eventual settlement costs involved.
Sad.
anonymous 9 October, 2012 14:18
I don't think there should be any patents allowed in the technology industry.
Look at the car industry, every manufacturer has access to round wheels, steering wheels, pedals, internal combustion engine etc.
Yet although cars all share the exact same technology they still manage to compete and people still buy cars from lots of different manufacturers.
It's the end consumer that benefits from competition and the industry as a whole moves forward.
Patents stifle innovation and competition and that can only be a bad thing.
Who cares if someone elses phone has the same features as their phone, swipe gestures, universal searches and even rectangles with rounded corners should be available to all so manufacturers can concentrate on more important things, open universal standards and moving technology forward.
anonymous 9 October, 2012 15:09
Either the bloke @14.23 is being sarcastic, or simply embodies the complete and utter retardation and delusion that many Apple cult members seem to suffer from
Remember, cults prey on the weak and/or simple.... next stop Scientology!!
Kieran Sampson 9 October, 2012 16:02
anonymous 15:09. I'm quite sure he was joking.
anonymous 9 October, 2012 16:42
You don't always have to spend a lot in R&D if you've got a good sense of what the public wants and where the industry needs to go next. Part of what Jobs did to bring Apple back from the brink was to cut spending on projects that weren't going to advance Apple.
Only scattershot R&D programs need massive funding because they aren't focused.
anonymous 9 October, 2012 17:13
I have no real comment about the article. I own a different phone and want to say apple are.... A bunch of poo? Or something non-pointedly derogatory. Because I think everyone should use the phone I do instead.
anonymous 9 October, 2012 17:26
Odd that in an article claiming that Apple spends more money one one thing than on another, you provide no evidence to support the claim. You don't even provide any financial figures.
samuelc 9 October, 2012 19:06
It won't be long before we see a headline that says "Apple sues god over patent for the apple"
James Katt 9 October, 2012 21:04
If Apple did not spend on patents, it would be paying in excess of $10 BILLION A YEAR in patent licenses to others.
Taken with this view, Apple is spending little on patents.
Apple has always been extremely efficient in R&D than ANY OTHER COMPANY including Microsoft, Cisco, Intel, etc. It spends very little on R&D. Thus, comparing any cost for Apple to R&D costs is nonsense.
anonymous 9 October, 2012 23:04
Makes sense. Why bring out an innovative product knowing the slime balls (Samsung) will just copy it. Protect it with patents first, then bring it out and sue the pants off the copycats.
anonymous 10 October, 2012 03:35
It is weird to see Apple fans defend this.
anonymous 10 October, 2012 13:15
Looks like Apple are going to go the way of most large American companies and rather than compete with other companies just try to eliminate them. In an ideal Apple world everyone would have the same phone, how boring it would be.