In a link grabbed off the nautilus-list in a thread about how to implement spring-loaded folders without violating Apple's patent, Roberto R threw out a link to a Mac Observer article on Reading The Apple Patent Tea Leaves. Apparently apple has patented everything from any frontend for cron to the progress bar, in addition to the garbage can icon.
All I want is spring loaded folders dammit! And I don't want to pay for Apple hardware to get them!