Samsung Loses Apple Court Case

Samsung has lost its court case in the US against Apple. The Korean company has been ordered to pay Apple $1.05bn (£665m) in damages. The ruling could see Samsung prevented from selling some tablet and handset models in the US. Samsung says it will appeal against the decision.

Apple had accused Samsung of stealing its handset and tablet designs, while Samsung accused Apple of using US patent laws to try to dominate the smartphone market. Apple had sought $2.5bn in damages, while Samsung sought $519m.

After the verdict was released, Apple issued a statement in which it said: “The mountain of evidence presented during the trial showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than even we knew. 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 behaviour willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.”

Samsung issued its own statement which said that: “Today’s verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer. It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies. Consumers have the right to choices, and they know what they are buying when they purchase Samsung products. This is not the final word in this case or in battles being waged in courts and tribunals around the world, some of which have already rejected many of Apple’s claims. Samsung will continue to innovate and offer choices for the consumer.”

No love lost between these two then, but given Samsungs plans to appeal, it will be some time before the full impact of the verdict is known.