Regarding 3rd party In-App purchases for apple iOS apps, I would consider whether the patent covers Apple's iOS framework for In-App purchases through the App Store. It would behoove Apple to apply for a patent this software process, in order to prevent a third party from patenting the process / technology and leeching money from Apple's App store commerce, whether LodeSys's patent applies here is controversial. There are rumors that the Justice department is investigating LodeSys's actions on the basis of whether they violate RICO laws, and we will have wait and see, whether Justice takes any action in the future.

I would remind people that the Patent office issuing a patent for some collection of claims, does not mean that patent can't be overturned in court.

Also, I would remind Open Source Software programmers, that IP law with software patents and trademarks will always pose barriers and hurdles to take in mind. As the software market matures, the software industry is beginning to resemble the pharmaceutical industry, where brand-name drugs have a legal monopoly for the that country for the remaining life of the patent, after which generic drugs can be introduced in a regulated fashion. Until the Intellectual property law principles of software patents are restricted or clarified, the company with the biggest legal staff has the bigger stick.

One would support furthers efforts by the EFF, ACM and other independent groups to support efforts like the ACLU to help the little guy / company toe the IP law line, and survive.

It is regrettable that Steve Jobs has died. He was remarkable person to meet in person as well as experience through the media. I expect that much will be written about him the days ahead. However, there is no doubt he changed the world as we know it. Like him or not, he could not be ignored or underestimated. Take Care and be well!

The problem with the patent law in the Federal Court of Eastern Texas cannot just solved with a democratic vote, because the law is not entirely democratic, but depends previous legal precedents in that jurisdiction. Even if there is legal reform, the reform does not overturn previous legal precedents retroactively. One must understand that federal civil litigation is quite different from criminal procedure. Intellectual property law depends as much on property law and common law for the judges interpretation. It does not really matter what judges say in NYC, San Francisco or Chicago, since they are in different federal jurisdictions. Only the Supreme Court of The USA can overturn such cases on valid appeals. Even if congress passes a new patent law, it only solves things going forward in time, not necessarily retroactively.
Lodsys though seems very well funded financially, and I would not be surprised if there was some indirect connection to Microsoft. It seems too common for coincidence that Microsoft's competitors fall prey to messy lawsuits, whether it be Apple, Linux distribution companies or IT companies. Not that I have hard evidence, but that has been MS's MO back in the 90's when Apple was staggering around without Steve Job's leadership.

Nonetheless, Apple does not want to stand by and watch their iOS market's being damaged, and Google and other mobile systems might be subject to litigation. However, I have not heard of any suits against Microsoft and their allied developers. Only time will tell.

Preliminary reports from m.i.c. gadget (an off-shore China news site, which is not subject to China goverment. censorship) say that the explosion occurred in a part of the assembly line, where the workers use a flammable dust to polish iPad screens. It is believed that a worker, who was smoking a cigarette in a prohibited area, caused the explosion. Access to the building is limited right now until the risk of secondary explosions can be minimized.
See this local article at fortune.com
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/05/21/inside-the-apple-ipad-factory/

Pretty obvious what happaned. Safety standards for the operating assembly line will need to be reviewed and enforced. As for the impact on iPad2 output remains to be seen, but preliminary reports at the Apple store speculate that wait times for iPad2 may go up 1-2 weeks. Since most of the iPad2 manufacturing was based in Chengdu, one will have to see what subsequent effect this explosion will have on manufacturing capacity.