In April of 2011, Apple Inc. filed a lawsuit claiming patent infringement against the Korean electronics company Samsung. Since then the Apple vs. Samsung patent war has spawned months and encompassed around 50 hours of testimony, which cost both high tech companies millions in court fees, expert opinions, and corporate lawyers. Each side has been hoping for a strong result and each side has had its positive moments.
Currently Apple is suing Samsung for $2.5 billion dollars in damage costs, citing patent infringement on 4 device related patents and 3 utility patents. In response to this, Samsung, as expected, counter-sued claiming that Apple has infringed on 5 of their patents, two of which are fundamental patents related to 3G technologies. The company usually licenses these out.
Samsung is demanding that Apple pay a royalty rate of 2.4% on the entire selling price on any and all iOS devices that make use of their patents. Apple has argued that they should instead pay one half of one penny on each iOS device sold.
Some have said that Apple’s approach to the patent war is anti-competitive, having pushed for and in some cases acquired temporary bans on the sales of certain Samsung products. Most recently the Galaxy Tab 7.7 in July of this year.
After hours upon hours of testimony, and multiple incidences of a testy judge, the case is finally able to move past the testimony phase. This Tuesday each side will be allowed a two hour allotment for closing arguments, which will be heard by the seven men and two women that will decide the case.
Judge Koh who is presiding over the case has warned that the outcome could be dangerous for both mega-companies should the decision be left up to the jury, and has urged both sides repeatedly to settle. Well, no such luck.
With Apple’s iPhone 5 on the horizon for September release, and Samsung’s Galaxy S III picking up speed, it’s hard to tell at this point exactly what effect the verdict of this case could have on the Tech conglomerates.