We are all aware of Apple’s push on having all sorts of patents approved for its device lineup but things could get a lot messier even now. There are reports about Apple filing a patent at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the design of the MacBook Air, claiming that they are the rightful owners of the design.
Now patenting a specific design or specification is not something new for the USPTO but this particular patent from Apple would entitle them to a intellectual property right for any computing device which has a “wedge shaped top case” with a lid pivoting the base by a hinge.
Using such a design in MacBook Air, Apple claims that it helps them in two ways. For one instance, this kind of design, allow them to use specific high-end components and secondly, it creates a clear impression to the user that they are dealing with a very light device.
If the Commission approves the Apple patent for the MacBook Air, it could threaten the existence of all the UltraBooks which are now beginning to emerge on the market. We’ve seen this story before, as Apple sued Samsung for allegedly copying the design of the iPhone and iPad with their Galaxy range of devices, tablets and smartphones.
Rumors say that in the patent file Apple had referred to nine patents regarding the MacBook Air design so you can imagine how big of an impact would have on the UltraBook manufacturing process as well.
Among them, one patent is for the brightness control of an OLED display which is quite interesting because Apple are not using this technology in any of their devices. The new iPad, the iPhone 4S and all MacBooks are currently using backlit LCD displays but filing for such a patent makes us think of Apple wanting to use OLED display in their next MacBook Pro refresh in the near future.
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