Apple Awarded More Than $1 Billion in Landmark Patent Decision

By Karla Robinson
August 27, 2012

Following 21 hours of deliberation, the jury has sided with Apple in one of the biggest patent lawsuits to date. Samsung now has to pay $1.05 billion in damages.
The jury upheld Apple’s utility and design patents; found willful infringement on 5 of 6 patents; and decided “Samsung ‘diluted’ Apple’s registered iPhone, iPhone 3 and ‘Combination iPhone’ trade dress on some products, not on others,” CNET reports. However, according to the jury, “Samsung did not violate antitrust law by monopolizing markets related to the UMTS standard.”
Apple originally sought $2.75 billion in damages. Samsung had asked for $421 million in its countersuit.
“Today’s verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer,” said Samsung in a statement following the trial. “It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices.”
From Apple’s statement: “The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung were about much more than patents or money. They were about values. At Apple, we value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. We make these products to delight our customers, not for our competitors to flagrantly copy. We applaud the court for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.”

No Comments Yet