June 22, 2011 09:17 pm EDT

Apple granted broad patent for 'portable multifunction devices' with multitouch screens

Avid watchers of tech know that Apple is almost as good at requesting patents (though, its record of defending them is somewhat less impressive) as it is at actually creating compelling products. Three years after initially filing for the design of a "portable multifunction device" with a multitouch interface, the USPTO has awarded the Cupertino crew a rather broadly worded patent that's sure to raise few eyebrows amongst its competitors. The language could easily be interpreted to cover practically any device with a multitouch screen, be it tablet or smartphone -- which we're sure Jobs and co. are excited to add to their growing stockpile of claims to gestures and capacitive displays. Whether or not Apple actually uses its recently granted patent to go lawsuit loony against its market rivals remains to be seen but, chances are, it'll stay quiet for the time being -- those battles with Sammy and Lodsys are already consuming plenty of precious resources.

Apple granted broad patent for 'portable multifunction devices' with multitouch screens originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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