Apple Patent Trial: Apple Finally Wins iPod Shuffle Patent

Apple Patent Trial: With so many devices in its lineup, the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPod shuffle is often times “lost in the shuffle.” Although consumers may not be as hot for this device as they once were, it is safe to say that the Cupertino-based company is still paying attention.

On Tuesday, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was awarded a patent for the component design of the iPod shuffle.

For more information on the patent, visit the official page on the USPTO website.

The patent was first filed for on August 27, 2010. As you can see, it took more than two years for the patent to be granted to the tech giant.

Here is the abstract, explaining the patent in greater detail:

“A very small form factor consumer electronic product includes at least a single piece housing having an integral front and side walls that cooperate to form a cavity in cooperation with a front opening where an edge of the side walls define a rear opening and at least some of the edges have flanges. The consumer electronic product also includes an user input assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the front opening and a clip assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the rear opening and having an external user actionable clip, a plurality of internal hooking features, and a plurality of internal latching features. The clip assembly is secured by engaging at least some of the hooking features and the flanges on the edges of the housing and engaging the latching features and corresponding attachment features on the internal support plate.”

With details like these, there is no wondering why it takes the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office so long to work through the process and award a patent.

It is interesting to note that the patent is related to several others from Apple Inc. (NASDA:AAPL). This is noted in the patent with the following language:

“This U.S. patent application is related to the following co-pending U.S. patent applications:”

“(i) “INHIBITING MOISTURE INTRUSION IN A VERY SMALL FORM FACTOR CONSUMER ELECTRONIC PRODUCT” by Dabov et. al. filed Aug. 27, 2010 having application Ser. No. 12/870,656; and”

“(ii) “ESD PROTECTION IN A VERY SMALL FORM FACTOR CONSUMER ELECTRONIC PRODUCT” by Dabov et. al. filed Aug. 27, 2010 having application Ser. No. 12/870,513 each of which is incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.”

Did you take the time to read the newest patent awarded to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)? What are your thoughts?

Check back here for more updates on Apple Patent Trial.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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