Suits are being filed against developers rather than Apple.

http://www.cultofmac.com/ios-devs-under-fire-by-patent-troll-for-offering-in-app-purchases/94916

The one I read this morning was similar but involved using a link to upgrade from a free version to a full paid version:

http://www.cultofmac.com/this-is-the-patent-troll-suing-ios-indie-devs-over-in-app-purchases/94955

They seriously need to review their patent process as something like this is very common. This is as ridiculous as what happened to Beebe Games where they had to change the name of their game because the word "Dash" was trademarked.

http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2010/11/03/say-good-bye-doodle-dash-thanks-playfirst-inc

It's becoming such a joke that I think I could probably patent the English language. Expect a package in the mail people...

Sounds not good.. i am using it too.. :-(

I think I could probably patent the English language.

ah but you have to make it sound really technical in order to get your patent approved. Something like "glyph-based system for the transfer of information across multiple media."

That is so ridiculous. The software industry needs to take a page from the fashion industry. http://youtube.com/watch?v=zL2FOrx41N0

Apple responds to Lodsys and has the backs of their developers:

http://www.macrumors.com/2011/05/23/apple-backs-developers-against-lodsys-patent-threats-says-devs-undisputedly-licensed/

Apple's response is a good thing. I have actually held off from releasing a lite version of my game because of this. Lodsys were not only going after in-app purchases but were going after apps that had links to the full version on the app store.

It looks like Apple's response isn't stopping Lodsys and they are going ahead with suing

http://fosspatents.blogspot.com/2011/05/lodsys-sues-7-app-developers-in-eastern.html

I don't get how they got any of their patents. It really is becoming a joke and I think digital law needs a real shake up.

no backing down http://www.lodsys.com/1/post/2011/05/apples-license-claim-disputed1.html

So to summarize how we can protect ourselves against the patent troll in the short term (until the lawsuit dust settles):

1.) Do NOT provide a link to the full version of your app within your lite version?

2.) Do NOT implement in-app purchases?

this patent shit sucks..
And what if we provide links to all our other apps within the light or free games we have.. ?

I released MysticGlyph Lite with an "Get the full version" button
but I did something odd with the button. Sad that trolls would do such a thing.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mysticglyph-lite/id437313715?mt=8

Apple steps up to the plate, files to intervene in all lawsuits filed against IOS developers and take over each case

http://www.cultofmac.com/apple-readies-for-war-against-patent-troll-lodsys-may-be-paying-sued-indie-devs-legal-fees/100204?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cultofmac%2FbFow+%28Cult+of+Mac%29

What's the latest on this issue? Is it safe to use Corona's in-app purchase API in our games?

Well, as long as no court has decided against Lodsys, it isn't safe at all. Even a simple "Buy the full version" is now a reason to get a letter from Lodsys.

Lodsys has went ahead and sued the developers despite Apple's involvement and is now chasing huge companies such as Rovio (Angry Birds) and Electronic Arts. I wouldn't expect this to be over quickly.