Not as such, but if you're using it for something useful (control of an industrial process, for example, you can usually patent it for that use.

"If ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise". The US system is slightly stupid in its application of 'innocent infringement', but it's the lawyers who advise you not to read patents, so as to avoid triple damages, who are really crazy. It's a bit like advising drivers to drive blindfold, to avoid charges of deliberate manslaughter.

Yes, it's a substandard post. This is not a patent on GUIs as such, but a design patent (note the D prefix) to the particular form of GUI shown. And Google haven't got round to indexing design patents yet, so no wonder you can't find it on their system.