Closing arguments are likely to be held this week in a potentially groundbreaking lawsuit that could impact how tablets and smartphones look and work.
As previously reported on ETCentric, Apple is seeking $2.5 billion in damages from Samsung for alleged patent infringement, while Samsung has countersued for $422 million.
“After nearly a month of testimony in the legal dogfight between Apple and Samsung over patents, the two parties are expected to make their closing arguments on Tuesday,” reports The New York Times. “It will then be up to jurors to hash out which Apple patents, if any, Samsung stepped on when it created devices that compete with the iPhone and iPad.”
Should Apple win, Samsung and others will likely start designing smartphones and tablets that look very different from Apple’s products.
However, a win for Samsung could have the opposite effect. “Expect to see an awful lot of Apple knockoffs without fear of retribution,” says Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at tech research firm Gartner.
“Although Apple sued Samsung, the outcome of the case has broader implications for other companies that create devices based on Google’s Android operating system, along with Google itself,” notes the article.
“Apple wants an order permanently barring Samsung, the largest maker of Android smartphones, from selling products in the United States that violate its patents. A legal victory against Samsung could give Apple extra ammunition in lawsuits it has filed against other Android makers,” explains NYT.
While some reports suggest Samsung has been on the defensive much of the trial, analysts have suggested the outcome may not swing fully in one direction or the other.
Jorge Contreras, associate professor of law at American University, predicts a “mixed result” — with Apple winning a few of its claims and losing others. Contreras suggests Apple has better footing with its claim of infringement on design patents for the iPhone and iPad, but has a challenge in proving claims regarding “utility patents” that address various software functions.
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