The jury verdict is in, and Apple is being touted as the big winner in their patent dispute with Samsung. The monetary awards were substantial, but the affirmation of Apple’s assertion of Samsung’s overt copying of their designs and technology is likely more important to the organization.
Samsung was found guilty of infringing on several Apple patents, including the “bounce back” effect when scrolling at reaching the end of a page or document, the “pinch and zoom” control, “double tap to zoom”, the patents concerning the iPhone’s physical appearance and home screen, as well as some other minor points. The infringements were largely declared willful, and in full knowledge that they were in violation of legal patents. The monetary damages totaled just over $1 billion.
Samsung had some minor victories; the jury found that the Galaxy Tab did not violate Apple’s patents concerning the iPad and that patents that they owned disputed by Apple were indeed valid. The jury sided with Apple on all of the accusations placed by Samsung, and no monetary damages were awarded.
Also of note was the jury’s decision that Apple did not prove that Samsung violated antitrust obligations regarding its FRAND patents, leaving Samsung free to charge Apple for their use in Apple products.
The decision closes the first chapter of these industry titan’s legal struggles. Samsung has vowed to appeal the jury’s decision, leaving the resolution of the disagreements between the two in limbo indefinitely, but for the short term Apple is declaring a victory for protecting innovation.
