@toadwarrior
That is a very interesting point,
IF you accept that Apples software/UI patents are indeed valid, (Which I don't) then due to its popularity, and considering the ignorance of the general population, many of them should be part of a de-facto standard, and licensed under FRAND.
Now personally I would have laughed Apple out of the patent office with most of their patents, but unfortunately the people who approve the patents are not experts in the field they are approving the patents for.. I.E. you need a software expert to say 'this is obvious' when it comes to software.
Like me I bet many coders are shocked apple were granted many patents, half the time I hear of a software patent dispute I realise either I or a friend at college had done something at college nearly identical, but being students patents were not even a thought..
I see Samsung winning an Appeal, maybe not 100% of a win, but a win...
Personally I wont use Apple 'i' products, I hate the UI, the settings are pathetic, and the app store is an unreliable joke..
So Apple can drop their 'lost sales' argument by 4 devices,
oh and I do own an iPad, that is why I know how crap they are! perfect for a 2 year old, but even my 5 year old prefers Android!