Microsoft files for a start screen look and feel trademark

Microsoft has filed for a trademark for the look and feel of the Windows Phone 7 home screen and the live tiles it contains.

Microsoft writes:

The mark consists of eight boxes; the upper left-hand box containing the word "PHONE" along with a telephone receiver; the upper right-hand box containing the word "PEOPLE"; the lower left-hand box containing the word "MESSAGING" along with a character face; the lower right-hand box containing the word "OUTLOOK" along with the letter "O", an envelope and a check mark; the lower four boxes are empty.

The design of the Windows phone 7 UI is perhaps the only one in recent times which eschews the appearance of virtual real-world objects if favour of an “authentic digital” look which as little extraneous “chrome” user interface elements as possible, and has been widely copied, unofficially, by hackers on Android and even the iPhone.

Via USPTO via MobileCrunch and PhoneArena.

Thanks Just Visiting for the tip.