EMG Technology, a Los Angeles real estate developer, is suing Apple for patent infringement over iPhone web browsing. EMG Technology claims it was the first to invent an “apparatus and method of manipulating a region on a wireless device screen for viewing, zooming and scrolling internet content.”

The suit claims Apple is infringing on a patent that covers the “simplified interface of reformatted mobile content to provide optimum viewing and navigation with single touches on a small screen.” Filed on behalf of EMG Technology, the suit seeks unspecified damages.

EMG Technology holds the patents of Elliot Gottfurcht (the real estate developer), Marlo Longstreet and Grant Gottfurcht. Specifically targeting the iPhone, the suit alleges that Apple's handset infringes on patent 7, 441, 196, approved just last month and published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent was filed March 13, 2006.

As noted above, EMG Technology claims to have invented the means based on which iPhones browse the web, ahead of the Cupertino, Calif.-based handset maker. The invention includes both a method and an apparatus that allow users to manipulate viewing, zooming and scrolling stuff on the web. The March 2006-filed patent application says:

Abstract

A method and apparatus of simplified navigation. A web page is provided having a link to a sister site. The sister site facilitates simplified navigation. Pages from the sister site are served responsive to actuation of the sister site link. In one embodiment, the sister site includes matrix pages to permit matrix navigation.

[...]

Assignee: Gottfurcht; Elliot (Pacific Palisades, CA)

Marlo Longstreet 2003 Irrevocable Trust (Pacific Palisades, CA)

Grant Gottfurcht 2003 Irrevocable Trust (Pacific Palisades, CA)

Appl. No.: 11/373,324

Filed: March 13, 2006

Inventors credited are Gottfurcht; Elliot A. (Pacific Palisades, CA), Gottfurcht; Grant E. (Pacific Palisades, CA), Long and Albert-Michel C. (Irvine, CA).

Apple isn't known to have issued its response as of yet, but we're not holding our breath for this to happen. Apple has been hit with similar, ambiguous suits, many of which are still underway. Some never even made it to a jury's ears.