This is a big victory
Korean phone giant Samsung is to pay competitor Apple a massive $539 million, after the US company accused them of copying their devices.
Apple had sued Samsung, claiming that their handsets copied several patented features of the iPhone – in particular, the rounded rectangle shape of the device, the layout of the icons, and the flat screen.
The legal tussle goes all the way back to 2011, with Apple previously winning the case in 2012. However, it went to a retrial over damages. Essentially, there’s an 1887 law that says those who infringe on patents have to pay “total profit” to the owners if they are found guilty of doing so. Obviously, an 1887 law’s interpretation of smartphone profits isn’t going to be that clear, and a jury took five days to find that Apple should be paid the amount.
It is not yet known if Samsung will appeal. The company said that the decision “flies in the face of a unanimous Supreme Court ruling in favour of Samsung on the scope of design patent damages. We will consider all options to obtain an outcome that does not hinder creativity and fair competition for all companies and consumers.
In a statement, Apple said: “We believe deeply in the value of design. This case has always been about more than money.”
