With Apple's persistent innovation, it was always ahead of everything and everyone - hardware, software, OS, GUI, etc. It had a great computer hardware architecture but it didn't license it out, so IBM filled the void by open-sourcing its hardware architecture which propelled the growth of IBM-compatible machines like Dell and Compaq - relegating Apple as a niche market.

On the operating system (OS) front, Apple had the Mac OS but again, it didn't license it out so Microsoft filled the void by licensing its Windows OS to every x86 architectured computer (IBM and all IBM-compatible machines) and became the industry standard - leaving Apple behind.

Now, it's the same story. Apple wouldn't license its iOS to the phone companies so Google stepped in, developed the Android and licensed it to any phone manufacturer, leaving Apple simply as a niche company.

Even though Apple can patent its designs, it will still be copied enough to escape infringement. Besides, 'look and feel' cannot be patented. Ultimately, market forces will prompt manufacturers and software developers to go around and jump over Apple's proprietary intellectual properties to fulfill market demand. That's how a capitalistic system of free enterprise works. Jobs said, "Android's a mess. It has different screen sizes and versions, over a hundred permutations." - so what? As long as they all work, then more choices for the consumer. I find this statement of Jobs a little unhinged.