Hello HN,<p>I would appreciate your input on my current situation.<p>I recently learned that Apple has filed to patent a teleprompter concept to be integrated with iMovie and Final cut pro. They also have a sketch of how it can be applied to the iPad. Here is the link:<p>http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2012/02/apple-to-add-teleprompter-tools-to-imovie-and-final-cut-pro.html<p>The screen shot of iPad rendering is very similar to UI of my app published almost a year ago (built along with hnuser: xoom). Take a look at the screenshot of the app here compared to the diagram in Apple's patent.<p>http://itunes.apple.com/app/vrt2-video-recording-teleprompter/id433107401?mt=8<p>On one hand I am proud that our UI design is spot on for the teleprompter that Apple, as a great artist, "stole" it. On the other hand I am concerned.<p>Should I just ignore it or do something about it? If so, what should I do? I very much appreciate your help and feedback.<p>Thanks
-Vj
You're incorrect about several things in your claim. The only overlap that Apple's filing and your app are that they share a teleprompter element.<p>If I read the description on your app correctly, you use it for teleprompting while video recording the person doing the talking. You mention several use cases such as perfecting a speech, or recording a good version of yourself giving a speech.<p>The Apple patent filing however, is for a completely different use case. It details specifically the use of doing voice-over audio recording of a previously recorded video.<p>So just because you both support a teleprompter element, doesn't mean you're covered by this patent filing OR that Apple "stole" from you. Patents are taken as a whole, and not all their individual parts that go into it.
If you didn't file something, provisional/patent, and no other application is accepted/pending with earlier date then your app release date, then it's probably public knowledge, and a prior art that will block anyone from filing.