Apple this week was awarded an iPhone-related patent first filed in December of 2007, a victory that intellectual property experts believe will be significant.

On Tuesday, Apple was granted U.S. Patent No 7,966,578, entitled “Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for translating displayed content.” And patent experts who spoke with PC Magazine said Apple’s ownership of the invention could allow it to “bully” its rivals.

The story by author Damon Poeter characterized the patent as a “huge blow” to companies like HTC, Samsung, Motorola, Research in Motion and Nokia, who make competing smartphones with touchscreen displays.

“Apple’s patent essentially gives it ownership of the capacitive multitouch interface the company pioneered with its iPhone, said one source who has been involved involved in intellectual property litigation on similar matters,” the report said. “That’s like to produce a new round of lawsuits over the now-ubiquitous ...more.