Patent troll goes after Apple and RIM for “drag,” “tap” and “scroll” gestures

Patent trolls are on the prowl again. This week the company is unknown Texas-based Touchscreen Gestures, yes the real company name is “Touchscreen Gestures,” and they are going after both Apple and RIM. Touchscreen Gestures is claiming that both companies have infringed on 4 patents that consist of “drag,” “double tap” and “scroll,” specifically noting the iPhone, iPad and the Blackberry Playbook. It’s also known that Touchscreen Gestures has a similar suit against Samsung for the Galaxy Tab.

The patents are the following:
– US Patent 7190356 (“A method of identifying double tap gesture”)
– US Patent 7180506 (“A method for identifying a movement of single tap 7180506)
– US Patent 7184031 (“A method identifying a drag gesture”).
– US Patent 7,319,457 (“Method of Scrolling Window Screen by Means of Controlling Electronic Device”).

Apparently the filing states that the patents are not currently owned by Touchscreen Gestures, but Taiwanese Sentelic Corporation, which could mean Touchscreen Gestures recently acquired the patents specifically to troll. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and they are seeking damages and associated lawyer fees.

Trolls will be trolls. This lawsuit is almost as good as the Emoticon lawsuit from a couple weeks ago.

Source: Paid Content
Via: N4BB & CNet