Apple Watch straps down US design patent
The Apple Watch has received the rubber stamp on its design patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
On Tuesday (5 May), USPTO granted Apple a patent to protect the expression of the Apple Watch’s design, in particular its shape and form.
The patent marks the first step of protecting Apple’s first foray into the wearable market, stopping companies from developing duplicates likely to mislead consumers.
The indentations, buttons, the strap and the sensor are now protected by US for a total of 14 years. However, the US patent cannot be enforced in the international market, incapable of clamping down on Apple Watch knock-offs abroad.
The move comes after tattoo owners last week documented cases of non-responsiveness from the wearables, in response, Apple said: “Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can... impact heart rate sensor performance.
"The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings."
Topically, Apple Watch users have started sharing their heartbeats on Reddit via the 'Lonelyheartbeats' subreddit using the now patented heart beat sensor using it as a psuedo dating forum.