my first reaction to this was "bah, software patents. I love living in the EU."

But, this got me thinking - it a patent about something like a touch interface (intrinsically linked to hardware, but where software is required) software or not?

This also works for double clicks, key repeat delay, and stuff like joysticks.

Once you've invented the mouse, can you then patent every way of clicking and shaking? similarly, following the touchscreen, can we then patent every conceivable way to tap/swipe/pinch it?

I want to say "no, all these patents are obvious and dumb," but the "software is mathematics" mantra really doesn't hold for these kind of fluffy, hands-on concepts.

hmm.