Apple is getting sued over iPhone concepts. Minerva Industries served
papers to Apple and satellite phone company Atlantic RT for patent
infringement entitled "Mobile Entertainment and Communication Device,"
where the company was recently awarded the United Sates patent No.
7,321,783 - beating out both firms.

http://www.phonemag.com/iphone-concepts-infringe-us-patent-no-7321783-01366.php


In a six-page formal complaint filed in the Eastern District of Texas
on Tuesday, alleged that representatives from Minerva informed Apple
of their pending application with United States Patent and Trademark
Office covering iPhone concepts.

Bottom line - Minerva thought of it first and has the patented right
to the following in the USA...

Document Type and Number: United States Patent 7321783

A mobile entertainment and communication device in a palm-held size
housing has a cellular or satellite telephone capable of wireless
communication with the Internet and one or more replaceable memory
card sockets for receiving a blank memory card for recording data
directly from the Internet and, in particular, musical performances
that then can be selectively reproduced by the device for the
enjoyment of the user, including both audio and visual recordings and
reproductions. The device also includes a camera and microphone for
recording images and sound within the range of the device that can be
wirelessly transmitted, either selectively or automatically to a
remote telephone. Further, the device includes sensors for sensing
unusual conditions that may also be transmitted to a remote telephone,
together with the location of the device as determined by a GPS
section of the device.

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