Pair of Apple patents are challenged by anonymous party
The USPTO has received a pair of re-examination requests for two Apple patents from an anonymous party. The patents involved include both the visual voicemail and autocorrect features. Both patents will be in the spotlight as Apple and Samsung square off in the sequel to last year's epic patent battle between the two rivals. That trial is set to begin in the first quarter of next year.
While we don't know for sure, Samsung would be the most likely party to have requested the re-examination. The autocorrect feature was used by Apple when it requested a preliminary injunction against the Samsung GALAXY Nexus handset. During those hearings, Judge Lucy Koh ruled that Apple would probably be able to win its case at trial in relation to the autocorrect patent. Samsung has since used a workaround to avoid any further legal problems with the phone.
source: electronista
Any re-examination and subsequent invalidation of the two patents wouldn't occur for some time, well after next year's trial.
source: electronista
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