Initial USPTO Ruling Invalidates Apple's Pinch-to-Zoom Patent

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a preliminary ruling that rejects Apple's 'pinch-to-zoom' patent upon re-examination, reports the WSJ.

The agency rejected all claims in Apple's patent on Wednesday, according to a document issued by the patent office that was filed by Samsung in federal court in San Jose, Calif. The document lists portions of the patent that were struck down on reexamination, on the basis that prior patents covered the same inventions.

The patent office said that in order for the Apple's claims to be valid, they must be considered patentable despite any "prior art patent and printed publication cited." In a detailed report, the agency said they did not.

Samsung says this development supports its request for a new trial, a request that was already rejected by Judge Koh. If the decision does become final, and Apple doesn't appeal or loses an appeal, a new trial phase could be necessary to adjust damages.

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