The document, however, doesn’t say much about the patent. But the drawings highlight the details of the patent in solid lines. Descriptions like “gray shading on the electronic device represents a metallic-looking surface” and “the relatively light gray shade lines on the surface portions indicate contour and not surface decoration” are among the few written in the document. Apple has reportedly dashed out unimportant details of the notebook and opted to highlight the overall wedge shape with solid lines.
Sources say that in determining infringement, courts will usually look at whether the allegedly infringing device and the design patent are substantially similar in overall appearance. Apple’s new patent could pose a threat to ultrabooks that sport the wedge-shaped design. Competitors, however, can still work their way around minor tweaks in the design to avoid patent infringement, sources say.