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It looks like portions of our site are being blocked! Check your browser settings or contact your network administrator.</span> <div id="header"><div class="wrap"> <header class="lf-header clearfix"> <div class="lf-logo"> <a href="../../../index.html"><img src="../../s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/vip/consumerist2/images/logo-small.jpg" /></a> </div> <h1 class="lf-title"><a href="index.html">patent</a></h1> </div> </header> </div></div><div id="wrap"><div id="fb-root"></div> <div id="notification-area" class="black hidden"> <div class="notification-modal"></div> <div class="wrap"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a class="remove-notice" href="index.html#" id="remove-notice" rel="10293012" data-nonce="af137a6805">×</a> </div> </header> <h3 class="notice-title">Welcome to the Consumerist Archives</h3> <p>Thanks for visiting Consumerist.com. As of October 2017, Consumerist is no longer producing new content, but feel free to browse through our archives. Here you can find 12 years worth of articles on everything from how to avoid dodgy scams to writing an effective complaint letter. Check out some of our greatest hits below, explore the categories listed on the left-hand side of the page, or head to <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CR.org</a> for ratings, reviews, and consumer news.</p> <p class="full-width"><a class="notice-cr-logo" href="https://www.consumerreports.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://cdn.consumerreports.org/etc/designs/cr/images/common/footer-logo.svg" alt="Consumer Reports" /></a></p> <div class="clear"></div> </div>  </div>  <div id="inner"><div class="wrap"><div id="content-sidebar-wrap"><div id="content" class="hfeed"> <div class="cs-archive-top"> <h2 class="cs-archive-title">patent</h2> </div> <div class="post-10277128 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-retail-services category-telecom-technology tag-subscriptions-of-the-future tag-walmart tag-tech tag-subscription-service tag-patent tag-tags tag-tracking-your-things tag-internet-of-things entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../subscriptions-of-the-future/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> subscriptions of the future </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2017/05/05/walmart-files-patent-for-amazon-dash-like-device/index.html" title="Walmart Files Patent For Amazon Dash-Like Device"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/walmart1.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="(Ron Dauphin)" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2017/05/05/walmart-files-patent-for-amazon-dash-like-device/index.html" title="Walmart Files Patent For Amazon Dash-Like Device" rel="bookmark">Walmart Files Patent For Amazon Dash-Like Device</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 5.5.17</div><div class="entry-content"><p>In yet another example of Walmart’s effort to increase its online presence and best rival Amazon, the big box retailer has filed a patent for an automatic home ordering subscription system similar to Amazon’s “Dash” buttons. <a href="../../2017/05/05/walmart-files-patent-for-amazon-dash-like-device/index.html#more-10277128" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10271953 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-crime-fraud category-original category-retail-services tag-shutting-it-down tag-complaint tag-false-promises tag-federal-trade-commission tag-marketing tag-patent tag-patent-marketing tag-world-patent-marketing entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../shutting-it-down/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> shutting it down </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2017/03/14/feds-say-invention-marketing-firm-used-bogus-testimonials-threatened-to-sue-clients/index.html" title="Feds Say Invention Marketing Firm Used Bogus Testimonials, Threatened To Sue Clients"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/screen-shot-2017-03-14-at-1-29-14-pm.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="Feds Say Invention Marketing Firm Used Bogus Testimonials, Threatened To Sue Clients" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2017/03/14/feds-say-invention-marketing-firm-used-bogus-testimonials-threatened-to-sue-clients/index.html" title="Feds Say Invention Marketing Firm Used Bogus Testimonials, Threatened To Sue Clients" rel="bookmark">Feds Say Invention Marketing Firm Used Bogus Testimonials, Threatened To Sue Clients</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 3.14.17 — <span class="date modified time" title="2017-05-10T15:20:23+00:00">Updated: 5.10.17</span></div><div class="entry-content"><p>Getting your awesome invention from scribble to prototype to store shelves is often no simple task, but one company that promised to help amateur inventors patent and market their creation has been shut down by a federal court after being accused of bilking millions of dollars from its clients. <a href="../../2017/03/14/feds-say-invention-marketing-firm-used-bogus-testimonials-threatened-to-sue-clients/index.html#more-10271953" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10266447 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-crime-fraud category-legal-lawsuits category-telecom-technology tag-more-antitrust-issues tag-qualcomm tag-apple tag-federal-trade-commission tag-antitrust-lawsuit tag-chip tag-patent tag-allegations tag-damages tag-rebate tag-claims tag-frand tag-looking-for-competition entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../more-antitrust-issues/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> More Antitrust Issues </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2017/01/20/apple-sues-qualcomm-for-1b-over-alleged-antitrust-violations/index.html" title="Apple Sues Qualcomm For $1B Over Alleged Antitrust Violations"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/qualcomm-logo.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="Apple Sues Qualcomm For $1B Over Alleged Antitrust Violations" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2017/01/20/apple-sues-qualcomm-for-1b-over-alleged-antitrust-violations/index.html" title="Apple Sues Qualcomm For $1B Over Alleged Antitrust Violations" rel="bookmark">Apple Sues Qualcomm For $1B Over Alleged Antitrust Violations</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 1.20.17</div><div class="entry-content"><p>Days after<a href="../../2017/01/17/qualcomm-faces-anti-trust-lawsuit-over-patents-licensing/index.html" target="_blank"> federal regulators sued smartphone and device chip maker Qualcomm</a> accusing it of antitrust violations, one of the company’s largest customers, Apple, is following suit, seeking $1 billion in damages. <a href="../../2017/01/20/apple-sues-qualcomm-for-1b-over-alleged-antitrust-violations/index.html#more-10266447" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10266088 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-competition-innovation category-legal-lawsuits tag-thats-not-right tag-ftc-act tag-qualcomm tag-federal-trade-commission tag-complaint tag-allegations tag-anticompetitive tag-bringing-back-competition tag-frand tag-patent tag-royalties entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../thats-not-right/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> That's not right </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2017/01/17/qualcomm-faces-anti-trust-lawsuit-over-patents-licensing/index.html" title="Qualcomm Faces Anti-Trust Lawsuit Over Patents, Licensing"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/qualcomm-logo.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="Qualcomm Faces Anti-Trust Lawsuit Over Patents, Licensing" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2017/01/17/qualcomm-faces-anti-trust-lawsuit-over-patents-licensing/index.html" title="Qualcomm Faces Anti-Trust Lawsuit Over Patents, Licensing" rel="bookmark">Qualcomm Faces Anti-Trust Lawsuit Over Patents, Licensing</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 1.17.17</div><div class="entry-content"><p>Your phone might say “Apple” or “Samsung” or “LG” on the outside, but inside there are<a href="../../2016/08/05/it-takes-dozens-of-companies-to-make-your-iphone/index.html" target="_blank"> parts from dozens of companies</a>, including Qualcomm, which now stands accused by federal regulators of using anticompetitive tactics to maintain an alleged monopoly on one important cell phone component. <a href="../../2017/01/17/qualcomm-faces-anti-trust-lawsuit-over-patents-licensing/index.html#more-10266088" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10258022 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-crime-fraud category-quality-safety tag-fighting-the-counterfeits tag-apple tag-amazon tag-mobile-star tag-counterfeit-products tag-accessories tag-lawsuit tag-trademark tag-patent tag-infringements entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../fighting-the-counterfeits/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> fighting the counterfeits </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../company/apple/index.html" title="Apple: 90% Of “Apple” Power Accessories Sold On Amazon Are Fake"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/appleinfringe.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="Adam Fagen" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../company/apple/index.html" title="Apple: 90% Of “Apple” Power Accessories Sold On Amazon Are Fake" rel="bookmark">Apple: 90% Of “Apple” Power Accessories Sold On Amazon Are Fake</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 10.19.16 — <span class="date modified time" title="2016-10-20T16:26:27+00:00">Updated: 10.20.16</span></div><div class="entry-content"><p>For years, Amazon and Apple have fought their own battles when it comes to counterfeit products:<a href="../../2016/01/26/fake-apple-stores-becoming-less-popular-in-china-again/index.html" target="_blank"> third-party retailers selling lookalike Apple accessories </a>and <a href="../../2016/07/08/5-things-you-should-know-about-amazons-issues-with-counterfeits/index.html" target="_blank">companies hawking fake name-brand products on the e-commerce site</a>. Now, the two issues have come together, with a lawsuit claiming that 90% of the supposed Apple power accessories listed on the site are fake. <a href="../../company/apple/index.html#more-10258022" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10248159 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-media-entertainment category-retail-services category-telecom-technology category-uncategorized tag-another-piece-to-the-puzzle tag-drones tag-amazon tag-docking-station tag-charging tag-patent entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../another-piece-to-the-puzzle/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> another piece to the puzzle </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2016/07/19/amazon-patents-way-to-turn-lampposts-church-steeples-into-drone-perches/index.html" title="Amazon Patents Way To Turn Lampposts, Church Steeples Into Drone Perches"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/drones-2.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="Amazon Patents Way To Turn Lampposts, Church Steeples Into Drone Perches" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2016/07/19/amazon-patents-way-to-turn-lampposts-church-steeples-into-drone-perches/index.html" title="Amazon Patents Way To Turn Lampposts, Church Steeples Into Drone Perches" rel="bookmark">Amazon Patents Way To Turn Lampposts, Church Steeples Into Drone Perches</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 7.19.16</div><div class="entry-content"><p>For the past few years, Amazon has been working on plans that would unleash a fleet of drones to handle some deliveries – from unveiling a prototype that acts <a href="../../2016/01/19/amazon-exec-prime-air-drones-will-be-more-like-horses-than-cars/index.html" target="_blank">more like a “horse than a car”</a> and a patent for <a href="../../2016/03/31/amazon-files-patent-for-talking-drone-propellers-that-tell-you-to-get-out-of-the-way/index.html" target="_blank">propellers that tell bystanders to “look out.”</a> Now, another recently released patent shows what those little flying machines might be doing while they aren’t ferrying your Prime deliveries: sitting on a lamppost. <a href="../../2016/07/19/amazon-patents-way-to-turn-lampposts-church-steeples-into-drone-perches/index.html#more-10248159" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10247902 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized tag-more-products-more-filters tag-snapchat tag-photos tag-patent tag-image-recognition tag-objects tag-whats-in-a-photo tag-ads tag-ad-revenue entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../more-products-more-filters/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> more products more filters </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2016/07/18/snapchat-wants-to-send-you-ads-by-identifying-objects-in-your-selfies/index.html" title="Snapchat Wants To Send You Ads By Identifying Objects In Your Selfies"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/screen-shot-2016-07-18-at-9-55-21-am1.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="Snapchat Wants To Send You Ads By Identifying Objects In Your Selfies" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2016/07/18/snapchat-wants-to-send-you-ads-by-identifying-objects-in-your-selfies/index.html" title="Snapchat Wants To Send You Ads By Identifying Objects In Your Selfies" rel="bookmark">Snapchat Wants To Send You Ads By Identifying Objects In Your Selfies</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 7.18.16</div><div class="entry-content"><p>Try to remember the last photo you took on Snapchat: did it include a recognizable tourist spot? Perhaps a cup of coffee? The next time you take a similar photo, you might find a handful of ad-heavy filters waiting to be applied to the scene as Snapchat recently received a patent that would allow it to use image recognition technology to send users ads and other filters related to the picture content. <a href="../../2016/07/18/snapchat-wants-to-send-you-ads-by-identifying-objects-in-your-selfies/index.html#more-10247902" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10241495 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-media-entertainment category-telecom-technology category-uncategorized tag-stick-to-me tag-pedestrian-glue tag-google tag-self-driving-car tag-patent tag-preventing-injuries entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../stick-to-me/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> Stick to me </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2016/05/20/google-patents-pedestrian-glue-for-self-driving-cars/index.html" title="Google Patents Pedestrian “Glue” For Self-Driving Cars"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/screen-shot-2016-05-20-at-12-26-11-pm.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="Google Patents Pedestrian “Glue” For Self-Driving Cars" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2016/05/20/google-patents-pedestrian-glue-for-self-driving-cars/index.html" title="Google Patents Pedestrian “Glue” For Self-Driving Cars" rel="bookmark">Google Patents Pedestrian “Glue” For Self-Driving Cars</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 5.20.16</div><div class="entry-content"><p>While Google’s self-driving vehicles have been cruising around the streets, the company’s engineers have been working on a way to ensure pedestrians that may come into contact with the bumper of one of those autonomous vehicles are left relatively unscathed. Their apparent solution: an adhesive that makes people stick to the car’s hood. <a href="../../2016/05/20/google-patents-pedestrian-glue-for-self-driving-cars/index.html#more-10241495" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10234509 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-media-entertainment category-retail-services category-telecom-technology category-uncategorized tag-another-way-to-pay tag-amazon tag-selfie-pay tag-patent tag-application tag-payment tag-verification entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../another-way-to-pay/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> Another Way To Pay </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2016/03/14/amazon-files-patent-for-pay-by-selfie-system/index.html" title="Amazon Files Patent For Pay-By-Selfie System"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/screen-shot-2016-03-14-at-11-24-18-am.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="Amazon Files Patent For Pay-By-Selfie System" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2016/03/14/amazon-files-patent-for-pay-by-selfie-system/index.html" title="Amazon Files Patent For Pay-By-Selfie System" rel="bookmark">Amazon Files Patent For Pay-By-Selfie System</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 3.14.16</div><div class="entry-content"><p>MasterCard may have rolled out its <a href="../../2016/02/23/mastercard-starts-selfie-verification-working-on-heartbeat-approvals/index.html" target="_blank">new “selfie” verification system</a> last month, but it’s not the only company to take consumers’ love of self portraits and turn it into a way to make money. To that end, Amazon recently filed a patent for a so-called selfie pay system. <a href="../../2016/03/14/amazon-files-patent-for-pay-by-selfie-system/index.html#more-10234509" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10210510 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-uncategorized tag-can-we-get-more-awkward tag-airplane-seats tag-airlines tag-seating tag-patent tag-zodiac-seats-france entry longform-archive-entry has-post-thumbnail"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../can-we-get-more-awkward/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> can we get more awkward? </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2015/07/09/just-looking-at-this-airplane-seat-design-patent-makes-us-uncomfortable/index.html" title="Just Looking At This Airplane Seat Design Patent Makes Us Uncomfortable"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/seats.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="A patent for new airplane seats shows the middle seat turned around in an attempt to increase arm and shoulder space." class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2015/07/09/just-looking-at-this-airplane-seat-design-patent-makes-us-uncomfortable/index.html" title="Just Looking At This Airplane Seat Design Patent Makes Us Uncomfortable" rel="bookmark">Just Looking At This Airplane Seat Design Patent Makes Us Uncomfortable</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 7.9.15</div><div class="entry-content"><p>Airlines and aircraft manufactures are continuously looking for new ways to pack passengers into planes like sardines. From <a href="../../2013/11/04/airbus-asks-airlines-to-please-stop-it-with-the-super-narrow-seats/index.html">installing narrower seats</a> to <a href="../../2014/07/14/airbus-seeking-patent-for-bicycle-seats-in-plane-cabins-because-flying-isnt-uncomfortable-enough-already/index.html">exploring the idea of bicycle-like perches </a>, there appears to be no end to what might be considered to maximize capacity on flights. The latest concept: a seating design that takes the already awful experience of being stuck in the middle seat and makes it worse… so much worse. <a href="../../2015/07/09/just-looking-at-this-airplane-seat-design-patent-makes-us-uncomfortable/index.html#more-10210510" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-10210349 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-uncategorized tag-cuing-up-the-shot tag-everyones-a-photographer tag-google-glass tag-patent tag-electronics tag-devices tag-innovation tag-new-version entry longform-archive-entry has-post-thumbnail"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../cuing-up-the-shot/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> cuing up the shot </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2015/07/08/new-google-glass-could-reportedly-have-larger-display-hand-triggered-photo-capabilities/index.html" title="New Google Glass Could Reportedly Have Larger Display, Hand-Triggered Photo Capabilities"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-07-08-at-1-16-36-pm.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1" alt="A recently awarded Google patent includes depictions of a new hand-triggered camera function that could be included in future versions of Google Glass." class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2015/07/08/new-google-glass-could-reportedly-have-larger-display-hand-triggered-photo-capabilities/index.html" title="New Google Glass Could Reportedly Have Larger Display, Hand-Triggered Photo Capabilities" rel="bookmark">New Google Glass Could Reportedly Have Larger Display, Hand-Triggered Photo Capabilities</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="../../author/ashleekielerconsumerist/index.html" title="Posts by Ashlee Kieler" class="author url fn" rel="author">Ashlee Kieler</a></span></span> 7.8.15</div><div class="entry-content"><p>Citing the need for a redesign – and slow sales for its Explorers program – Google <a href="../../2015/01/15/google-to-stop-selling-current-version-of-google-glass-on-jan-19/index.html">stopped selling the most recent version of its Google Glass back in January</a>. While the company declined to provide any specifics on its next version of the device at the time, a newly awarded patent – and sources close to the device’s creation – give a few hints of what might be in store for the high-tech gadget. <a href="../../2015/07/08/new-google-glass-could-reportedly-have-larger-display-hand-triggered-photo-capabilities/index.html#more-10210349" class="more-link">[More]</a></p> </div></div><div class="post-173993 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-government-policy category-media-entertainment category-telecom-technology tag-lawsuits tag-patent tag-zen tag-creative tag-mp3 tag-ipod tag-apple entry longform-archive-entry"> <header class="entry-header"> <div class="tag-wrap"> <a href="../lawsuits/index.html" class="post-tag" rel="tag"> lawsuits </a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </header>  <a href="../../2006/05/16/creative-sues-apple-claims-they-created-mp3-menus/index.html" title="Creative Sues Apple, Claims They Created MP3 Menus"><img src="../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ipodzen.gif?w=200&h=162&crop=1" alt="Creative Sues Apple, Claims They Created MP3 Menus" class="Thumbnail thumbnail longform-thumb alignleft post-image" /></a><h2 class="entry-title"><a href="../../2006/05/16/creative-sues-apple-claims-they-created-mp3-menus/index.html" title="Creative Sues Apple, Claims They Created MP3 Menus" rel="bookmark">Creative Sues Apple, Claims They Created MP3 Menus</a></h2> <div class="post-info">By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn">consumerist.com</span></span> 5.16.06</div><div class="entry-content"><p>Could patent law be any more absurd? Perhaps we’re on the wrong end of it, but it seems that the only tangible result of modern patent law is a string of nuisance lawsuits in which one company attempts to rob consumers of a product they enjoy by suing a company that has made an ostensibly similar competing device. Re: Blackberry. But now, Creative vs. Apple.</p> </div></div></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-10697639-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 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