[st3fan]

So what exactly is this patent covering? I've heard several things .. the 'Upgrade to Pro Version' buttons, the 'Would you like to rate this app' dialog, and some other things.

Does anyone actually know what it exactly is that they are after?

[GHFigs]

Their own public description of their patents[1] seems to cover both (and more). However, the example Apple cites in their letter[2] refers to "user feedback":

Once again, Apple provides, under the infringement theories set out in your letters, the physical memory in which user feedback is stored and, just as importantly, the APIs that allow transmission of that user feedback to and from the App Store, over an Apple server, using Apple hardware and software. Indeed, in the notice letters to App Makers that we have been privy to, Lodsys itself relies on screenshots of the App Store to purportedly meet this claim element.

If anybody has a link to an actual notice from Lodsys, that would be the best source.

[1]: http://www.lodsys.com/our-patents.html [2]: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/apple-responds-to-lodsys-...

[AndyJPartridge]

There must be prior art.

Telephone voting on the Eurovision song contest? Customer helpline numbers? Comment cards in restaurants?

Forgive me if I've missed something here.

[Apple-Guy]

Yup. The patent system is severely broken, especially their prior art research (or lack of).

[nhangen]

Using a service to sell users on an upgrade, at least from what I understand. It's not just IAP, but using IAP to get people from free to paid.

[anderzole]

in-app purchases, no?