Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyberman tM
BTW, would you say that MS also copied the design? (See attachment)
I'm not saying they're identical, just that it's the same general principle again.
Perhaps apple copied the design, might just be - but I think it's not really worth protection in the first place. It can easily be coincidence.
(Nor are rounded corners and such.)
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Not even close.
Apple copied the open circle on the second hand, they copied the thickness of the hour marks, they copied the *entire* design. MS just coughed up a generic numberless clock face.
It is that very distinction that a lot of people can't seem to grasp about design patents; it's not about curved glass--it is about one very specfic curved shape--and it's not about just rounded corners but rather the combination of design elements that as a whole identify the product.
Curved glass?
How about this one:
The classic Pepsi swirl bottle.
It's all about the tactile impression of the ice-cold bottle.
Or, check here for a look at how soda bottle shapes *defined* the different products for consumers.
http://imprint.printmag.com/branding...ing-evolution/
Product design is as much a serious discipline as any architectural or engineering branch and, commercially speaking, just as important.