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Apple obtains exclusive rights to custom, super-durable metal alloy

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I wonder how much Apple payed.

When was the first material science patent created?

Imagine it if someone patented the bronze sword when it came out. I'm guessing you are no longer allowed to patent steel?
 
I think people are overreacting about this patent. It's a material that has such limited use and applications, that it's not holding back humanity because a corporation has exclusivity to it for thier little electronic gizmos.

With the disposable nature of these products (where the typical user keeps one for 2-5 years), is it really advantgeous to spend the money to make the casings last forever?

Plus, it remains to be seen if Liquid Tech can keep up quality standards if they are going to be churning out xx amount more tons of this product. That's a huge issue in the material business. Especially specialty metals.
 
Oh no... Robo Whitta !!
Robo Whitta
Robo Whitta
Robo Whitta
Robo Whitta
 
Now that Apple Products will be durable, I can't wait 'till I can get one that I can buy a proper replacement battery for.
 
I'm not sure how is this exclusive when phone manufacturers used this same thing ("Liquidmetal") in their phones for years now. Samsung for example uses it on their flip phone hinges.
 
Lord Error said:
I'm not sure how is this exclusive when phone manufacturers used this same thing ("Liquidmetal") in their phones for years now. Samsung for example uses it on their flip phone hinges.

It'll be exclusive now.
 
Trojita said:
I wonder how much Apple payed.

When was the first material science patent created?

Imagine it if someone patented the bronze sword when it came out. I'm guessing you are no longer allowed to patent steel?
You can patent your process to make the bronze sword or or not tell anyone and keep it a trade secret. But you can't patent a mineral you can alloys.

Patents cover how something is made and not the material 99% of the time unless it's a new material.

You people seem to think OMG I patented air you fuckers need to pay me to breathe! This isn't like patenting genes or software, this is patents on how things are created, not omg a chemical reaction it's how you get to the point the stuff forms is what most patents claim.
 
Not sure what people are up in arms about. They patented their Liquidmetal dealy. They put millions of dollars into development of the thing, why should everyone else get it for free? That wouldn't even be a business.
 
Wormdundee said:
Not sure what people are up in arms about. They patented their Liquidmetal dealy. They put millions of dollars into development of the thing, why should everyone else get it for free? That wouldn't even be a business.
Yeah, same with tylenol (acetaminophen), aspirin, and all pharmacy products really (patent to generic lifecycle). /sarcasm.

I say exclusivity is fine for awhile, but getting it out to the market after a few years would only benefit the entire marketplace in the name of advancement. Hell Apple could sell the 'generic' product to everyone else. Yes, call it socialism, but I call it a fair marketplace without a monopoly.
 
Technosteve said:
You can patent your process to make the bronze sword or or not tell anyone and keep it a trade secret. But you can't patent a mineral you can alloys.

Patents cover how something is made and not the material 99% of the time unless it's a new material.

You people seem to think OMG I patented air you fuckers need to pay me to breathe! This isn't like patenting genes or software, this is patents on how things are created, not omg a chemical reaction it's how you get to the point the stuff forms is what most patents claim.

It was said in Jest. But had the first process for steel been patented, would any other processes to make steel be valid?

What do you mean "You people"?

/joke
 
Lord Error said:
I'm not sure how is this exclusive when phone manufacturers used this same thing ("Liquidmetal") in their phones for years now. Samsung for example uses it on their flip phone hinges.
It desnt matter who used to use it, they can't use it anymore.
 
Apple is gunna use it in there laptops if they can make it even lighter with this alloy but it will require casting not milling. I want them to go back to Mag for the computer cases.
 
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