In defense of Apple owning the concept of a paper bag

First released in April, Apple’s iconic paper bag is already beloved by millions throughout the world. But now, the bag is coming under fire.

Apple’s patent application for its (really very good!) bag was published earlier this week and is already drawing hurtful and unwarranted mockery for its elegant and simple language, which includes such koans as "bags are often used for containing items" and "the paper bag may include a bag container."

Surely (the argument goes) Apple can’t patent the very concept of the paper bag, an object deployed for literally decades with little to no changes. Can Apple’s bag be so revolutionary, so groundbreaking, as to require its own patent?

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