[citation][nom]iamptmmac[/nom]This is so silly. The patent process worked here. If you don't think that having the ability to choose which voicemail to answer first is a significant advance then go back to the old way.[/citation]
Funny, I own a (PDA) Palm Pilot, I also own an iPhone. My P/P has never taken a single voicemail. I have listened to hundreds from my iPhone. I don't care that Klausner claims to have patented the idea first, when Apple was the first to bring an actual device to market.
Patents should be predicated on actually using them for things other than a kludge with which you beat people over the head with in court to get money.
E.g. A Patent's initial term should be 5 years, with which you have to build and market a device. If you fail to do this, then you should lose your patent, and the general market is free to use the technology. If you do build and market your device, then you could renew your patent another 5 years, after which it should expire. I think 10 years of exclusivity is more than enough to assure that a technology innovator gets paid.
That being said, I do find it hilarious that Apple was taken to court over a patent infringement suit and lost. Apple is one of the worst patent trolls out there.