>...it's another to use it frivolously and offensively to
>stifle competition.
>
>When it's warranted, it's warranted. But using software
>patents like "slide to unlock" and "clickable phone numbers in
>browser" is taking it to another level.

If Apple didn't patent certain aspects of their software, everyone would copy them. Before Apple popularized it, a touchscreen only phone was considered a fools errand, through their use of software and hardware they showed everyone. Apple's patent slide to unlock, protects them from people copying their years of research and development in methods to unlock a phone. Trust me, without the fear of patent lawsuit, samsung would copy Apple as much as they could. Patents haves also spurred innovation because now other OEMs have discovered other method (some better, some worse) to unlock the phone.