Apple has managed to claim itself another pre-trial victory in the ongoing touchscreen patent battle with rival Motorola.

Judge Richard Posner has ruled in in favour of Apple - for the third time - over a crucial patent that covers basic touchscreen gestures including the ability to recognise swipes that are not straight lines.

Popularity contest

In January, Posner provided his first analysis of the '949 touchscreen heuristics patent, which was in favour of Apple, dismissing Motorola's claim that the patent is invalid for lack of particularity.

On 29 March, Posner entered his related order, following supplemental claim construction briefs submitted by both parties, which proved a clear win for Apple over Motorola.

Swiped victory

Because the patent covers gestures used on all multitouch

handsets, this could be a big asset in helping Apple win the legal battle with Motorola.

Apple is fighting Motorola over several fronts, ranging from a basket of weak patents to a smaller number of killer patents. 

The former include patents such as data tapping, overscroll bounceback, slide-to-unlock image, and photo gallery page-turning. Individually they are minor but when tallied together would provide Apple meaningful product differentiation.

The so-called killer patents are much more specific and for that reason harder to enforce broadly. 

Apple and Motorola will be back in court again in June.

[source: Foss Patents]