Apple Awarded Patent for Rounded Rectangle

Apple has been awarded a patent relating the iPad's design that appears to literally be for a rounded rectangle, reports ArsTechnica.

The '286 patent awarded on Tuesday appears to give Apple the exact patent the Samsung and Apple critics have erroneously claimed that the '889 patent was. The patent includes a number of drawings of the original iPad design, with most of its uniquely identifying features in dashed lines. As stated in the patent description, "broken lines in the Figures show portions of the portable display device which form no part of the claimed design."

The only unbroken line in all the figures is the outline of the flat, rounded rectangular front face of the device. All the other identifiable features, such as the speaker grille, round home button, display size, Dock connector, or even its curved back, are not covered by this design patent.


Notably, many experts feel that this patent will not be of any use to Apple since it is likely vulnerable to invalidity arguments.

Lea Shaver, Associate Professor at Indiana University's McKinney School of Law, says "This design patent gives Apple no new advantage, because no one is out there trying to market an iPad lookalike."

Read More [via ArsTechnica]