markjmd

iTrader: (11)

I haven't seen the actual filing for this, but you'd imagine it must have been submitted on April 1st

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/09...t_a_paper_bag/

JackClark

Seems pretty normal to me. I'm sure Tetra Pak are happy they filed a patent.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Right, but I'm just as sure that Jiffy would never had the front to try and patent plain paper envelopes, and if they had, they would quite rightly have been laughed at for doing so.

JackClark

If you build a better envelope you patent it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windowed_envelope

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Thank you for proving my point for me. There's absolutely nothing special at all about Apple's paper bag, hence their patent is an utter p!ss-take.

JackClark

It's all nonsense but it's a game you have to play.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Oh, come on. A particular size and shape of plastic button, or a particular thickness and colour of electronic cable, maybe. But a paper bag? Their legal people are losing the plot.

JackClark

I had a read up, sounds like a great bag. I'm not sure about Apple but at McAfee we were paid serious cash for patent applications, tons more if accepted, we'd put in anything.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

It's a piece of folded and glued paper ffs!

JackClark

Well, there's a bit more to it than that, but basically yes, they've created a unique bag that they feel is worthy of a patent. I doubt it will be granted but it certainly gained them some free publicity.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

I've been served goods in identical-looking glued and folded paper bags plenty of times in the past, in plenty of different places, so perhaps you could enlighten us on what exactly you define as "unique".

JackClark

Luckily for me that's what a patent is, the link is in your article.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

I don't see anything in that patent that strikes me as obviously unique. Would you be so kind as to point out the most relevant specifics for me?

JackClark

I would but that again is the job of the patent and the patent office. The only reason this is news is Apple sells clicks otherwise it's normal business.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Sorry, but you don't get off that easy. YOU said the bag was unique, so you must think there's something about it that clearly differentiates it from any other folded and glued bag made of paper. Now tell us what you think that siomething is, or admit Apple are just taking a punt at a completely pointless and meritless patent, as a stupid marketing stunt or for some other nonsensical reason.

JackClark

I do get off that easy, it's not like you're paying me. Here's a link http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/19/12...simple-refined

neil-h

All they're doing is patenting a certain design of bag, I really don't see what you're getting yourself so over excited about.

JackClark

Because APPLE

neil-h

That was my base assumption but I didn't wanna say in case Toffee Apple turns up and goes on about fanbois again.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

It's a simple enough question. All I'm asking is for Jack to tell us in his own words how this "certain design of bag" warrants the label unique. It's becoming obvious he's already realized he's going to sink like a stone in an ocean of ridicule as soon as we get down to discussing specifics, but if you want to take up the baton now and fill in for him, you're more than welcome to

neil-h

It's a particular style/shape/colour of bag which Apple most believe (or want people to) associate with their brand. At the end of the day it's cheap advertising and by patenting it they can protect that investment.

JackClark

I'm no fan of the patent system but if Apple or anyone want to try to get a patent for a shopping bag then more power to them.

What I don't get is why you're taking a story from the internet and trying to use it to gain weird satisfaction, it's your time, crack on.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

It's a bag. It's made of paper. It's no more a "design" than a generic mug, or a wheel, or a door. If you believe otherwise, you really, really do need to have a serious rethink of the entire world around you.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

I'm guessing it must be your secretary who's been replying to my posts all this time then, and not Sir Jack in person

JackClark

Do you own an Apple bag? They're very good.

neil-h

http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US6966484

And that's just an envelope for CDs/DVSs. You might want to go away and have a think about the work required to actually design a bag or an envelope, or perhaps even a mug. Then have a little think about why you might wnat to patent it.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Nice try, but the example you've given here is for an envelope that fulfils a function that 99.99% of standard envelopes do not (usable for sending of an initial letter AND another in response), and would therefore satisfy most people's definition of unique. By contrast, I'm still waiting for you or Jack to even hint at which special function Apple's bag fulfills, that isn't already fulfilled by 99.99% of other folded and glued paper bags in existence.

JackClark

Rather than do your research for you I provided a link which you obviously didn't read. I'm pretty sure they're using materials that haven't been used before, which pretty much closes the door on your picking.

neil-h

You really don't understand what you're talking about do you. Here's a start for your research.

http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/ip_busine...ce/reasons.htm

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Since starting this thread, I've gone back and read the entire patent. And guess what? They're using that radical new break-through called paper.