John Gruber agrees with me about "look and feel" protection

I have a warm fuzzy feeling inside. In comments recently regarding Apple's lawsuit against HTC John Gruber closes with:

I can’t speak to the hardware and “architecture” issues, but I despise the idea of “user interface” patents.

I've often lamented how sad it is to see everyone trying to copyright their "look and feel". I've clearly pointed out that you'd really have to patent such things to have any type of legal protection. Not that I'm suggesting these companies start patenting their app's "look and feel". I agree with Gruber that you should not be able to protect such things. It stifles innovation.

And, yes, I intend to keep harping on this periodically until said companies (they know who they are) get their heads out of their asses about copyright. They're welcome to read my lengthy article on the subject in their quest for understanding. :-)

Want to learn more?

If you're interested in learning more on the subject you can read my entire Design Piracy Series (start at the bottom) where I tear this silly "my web app look and feel is copyright me" argument to pieces.

Comments

[Mike]

Commenting on a random post because I couldn't find a "contact" link.

I'm one of those people with grammar OCDs and
http://pastie.org/help misspells "its". Thought I'd let you know in case you want to fix that and spare my strained neural pathways.

it's own line numbering
it's short name

PS: also, the copyright notice should be updated:
"Copyright © 2008-2009 Josh Goebel. All rights reserved." (as you can see, I'm a really bad case)