Context-Specific User Interfaces (20-July-2021)

Apple Inc. [2021] APO 18

There have been a number of decisions from the Australian Patent Office regarding some software related inventions.

[2021] APO 37

[2021] APO 26

[2021] APO 18

[2021] APO 07

[2021] APO 10

[2021] APO 12

[2021] APO 11

[2021] APO 03

[2021] APO 25

Apple Inc. [2021] APO 18 is a favourable decision from the Patent Office. 

In the words of the Hearing Officer: ‘users often rely on their portable multifunction devices to know the time and therefore it is desirable to allow the user to access this information through an interface that is simple and intuitive to use and that can be easily customised in relation to the user’s preferences and the information they provide, based on the context.’

We are yet to perform a full review of the corresponding patent (472 pages).  Nonetheless, a summary of the decision follows below.

We intend publishing reviews online of all relevant software related Patent Office decisions, as well as several upcoming Federal Court decisions.

Please stay tuned.

(Numbering issues and indentation issues still to be fixed below)