Verdict In: Samsung Violated Apple Patents, Apple Awarded $1.05 Billion in Damages

[Phillip Swanson]

Apple won big in California today as a federal court jury awarded the company $1.05 billion in damages after ruling Samsung infringed on six of Apple’s patents.

The damages awarded to Apple fall short of the company’s requested $2.5 billion, but still rank as one of the largest intellectual-property awards ever recorded. Also, the jury found that Apple did not violate any of the patents Samsung presented at the trial, a stark contrast to a decision made by a trio of Judges in South Korea yesterday that found Samsung and Apple products both banned in the country.

After 22 hours of deliberation spanning three days the jury found that Samsung infringed on six of the seven patents Apple presented and found willful infringement by Samsung in five cases (this can influence the severity of damages). The lone patent the jury found invalid was a patent covering the physical design of the iPad.

The quick turnaround, and decision in Apple’s favor mark a brief end to a month long patent trial argued on a worldwide stage. The decision is purely monetary however, and none of Samsung’s current products will be taken off store shelves or banned from sale. Still, expect Samsung to file an appeal immediately.

While it is impossible to know what the jury’s thoughts during deliberation were at the current time, Apple frequently references a document entitled “Relative Evaluation Report on S1, iPhone,” dated March 2, 2010. The document compared a number of features between the two phones and included a section entitled “directions for improvement” which entailed mimicking many features of the iPhone.

Samsung argued that being inspired by your competitors isn’t illegal, and provided photos and emails containing early tablet-like products in an attempt to have one of Apple’s design patents thrown out. Interestingly enough, the only patent the jury found Samsung didn’t violate was the iPad design patent.

Apple won a single legal battle in the current patent war that may ultimately financially insignificant after the appeals process. But, the positive press, continued strain on Samsung’s legal team, and the message the verdict sends to competitors likely outweighs any damages awarded.


This video I made a year ago seems somewhat fitting.
Source: The Wall Street Journal

[Jarolin Vargas]

this is great. Samsung devices might not have been banned. but they will be forced to redesign their devices. and they will think twice before copying any other products in the future. Apple looks like a complete jerk on the eyes of the consumers. but if they did something really generous like donating those 1.05 billion to charity it would let people know that they didn't do this for the money, but to defend whats theirs and stand up for themselves. i really want them to give away that money.

[hogcia]

In my opinion both company's take ideas from each other. I think the whole thing is bull.

[Bluprint]

Provoking more lawsuits, that's the American way. Smaller fries going to have a hard time competing with apple's patents as they get dragged to court, and sued for billions until they give up their patent portfolio. Forget about creating new ideas, protect your scroll bars.

[hogcia]

if they did something really generous like donating those 1.05 billion to charity it would let people know that they didn't do this for the money, but to defend whats theirs and stand up for themselves. i really want them to give away that money.

Apple just laid-off hundreds of retail stores employees who were earning minimum wage. What makes you think they will donate a penny to anyone?

[tridley68]

this is great. Samsung devices might not have been banned. but they will be forced to redesign their devices. and they will think twice before copying any other products in the future. Apple looks like a complete jerk on the eyes of the consumers. but if they did something really generous like donating those 1.05 billion to charity it would let people know that they didn't do this for the money, but to defend whats theirs and stand up for themselves. i really want them to give away that money.

This is excellent news for Apple do not let the bastards get rich off your ideas Steve Jobs would be proud.

[bish0p34]

In my opinion both company's take ideas from each other. I think the whole thing is bull.

I agree. It's ridiculous. Apple's been borrowing things for years, and altering them as well. It's the nature of the business. I have an iPhone and a galaxy s1. They're not that similar. There's an influence, but not a blatant copy. But hey, whatever. I wasn't on the jury.

This is excellent news for Apple do not let the bastards get rich off your ideas Steve Jobs would be proud.

You mean the guy who got rich on other people's ideas?

[tridley68]

Excellent news the late Mr Jobes would be proud.

[justinpotter81]

this is great. Samsung devices might not have been banned. but they will be forced to redesign their devices. and they will think twice before copying any other products in the future. Apple looks like a complete jerk on the eyes of the consumers. but if they did something really generous like donating those 1.05 billion to charity it would let people know that they didn't do this for the money, but to defend whats theirs and stand up for themselves. i really want them to give away that money.

+1.05 billion

[iBanks]

Apple just laid-off hundreds of retail stores employees who were earning minimum wage. What makes you think they will donate a penny to anyone?

Incorrect sir... Read the news that was released after that news you read about the lay-offs.

this is great. Samsung devices might not have been banned. but they will be forced to redesign their devices. and they will think twice before copying any other products in the future. Apple looks like a complete jerk on the eyes of the consumers. but if they did something really generous like donating those 1.05 billion to charity it would let people know that they didn't do this for the money, but to defend whats theirs and stand up for themselves. i really want them to give away that money.

Can I please have 30% of your paycheck next week? Sounds like your in the mood of giving. You want them to give away income they rightfully earned due to the hard work and labor and years of research, so why don't you do the same and donate to my charity "iBanks&TeamiPhone ENT"

[jwil736]

Hopefully they'll use that money on research and development.

[whenyourmad]

Apple just laid-off hundreds of retail stores employees who were earning minimum wage. What makes you think they will donate a penny to anyone?

Are you blind? Have you heard that it was a rumor and it was quickly confirmed that Apple didn't lay off employees? UGH READ PEOPLE

[exNavy]

Apple just laid-off hundreds of retail stores employees who were earning minimum wage. What makes you think they will donate a penny to anyone?

Funny I read those "minimum wage" employees earn $11-$14 an hour.

Will a REAL Apple employee give us the straight scoop?

[regkilla]

Apple give me that $1.05 Billion :P

[TechnoUniversity]

this is great. Samsung devices might not have been banned. but they will be forced to redesign their devices. and they will think twice before copying any other products in the future. Apple looks like a complete jerk on the eyes of the consumers. but if they did something really generous like donating those 1.05 billion to charity it would let people know that they didn't do this for the money, but to defend whats theirs and stand up for themselves. i really want them to give away that money.

Right!! Destroy the competition.

[HotBlack]

total injustice. Should not have been decided by a jury.

[Slim J]

this is great. Samsung devices might not have been banned. but they will be forced to redesign their devices. and they will think twice before copying any other products in the future. Apple looks like a complete jerk on the eyes of the consumers. but if they did something really generous like donating those 1.05 billion to charity it would let people know that they didn't do this for the money, but to defend whats theirs and stand up for themselves. i really want them to give away that money.

I beg to differ. Apple has a tendency to steal non-patented ideas and claim them as their own. I honestly find this whole court case messed up as Apple is just doing this to form a smart phone monopoly

[TTGSteve]

I'm sorry, but I didn't see that patents that Samsung did violate. Anyone have a list of those? All I saw regarding patents was that the iPad patent was determined to be invalid by jurors. So, which ones did Samsung infringe upon?

[Lohand]

Apple can never win against Samsung as long as they rely on them for chip sets. Hey Samsung Industries, just "goose" the costs of said chip sets to off-set any potential payout that's all. Oh and make sure to lock down those flexible display patents for the next generation of mobile devices. And just think, the mobile handset maker crowd was such a happy go lucky bunch until the fruit N0bs showed up. Sayin...

[TechnoUniversity]

It should have been ruled the same as they did in South Korea. Oh well, for all the anti-competition people out there, don't complain when prices go up.