Apple's Partial Win Against Samsung

Apple's 40% of the damages paid will be held as Samsung gets partial victory.

The rivalry between Samsung and Apple dates back to decades in the smartphone world. Both companies have been archrivals to each other and are constantly giving tough competition in order to become the leading force in the smartphone industry. The intensity of rivalry can be taken into notice from the point that both of them are approaching head-to-head in the court as well over patent infringements. However, according to Reuters it was believed that Apple has the upper hand over Samsung so far, but this is not the case.

Apple was only handed a mixed ruling, but as Reuters report, “… as a prior patent infringement verdict was upheld but a trademark finding that the iPhone's appearance could be protected was thrown out.” The latest Samsung newsstated that Apple won around $930 million in this case; however, nearly 40% of this amount must now be reconsidered. The smartphone war across the globe has resulted in the highly anticipated ruling stem, as the Federal Circuit in Washington D.C. has decided to advocate patent infringement violations. The violations protected Apple iPhone’s color and shape, and now, the damages awarded for these violations have been upheld too.

Apple claimed in a statement, “This is a victory for design and those who respect it. We remain confident that our products do not infringe on Apple’s design patents and other intellectual property, and we will continue to take all appropriate measures to protect our products.” When the decision was announced, Samsung stocks and shares in the market increased by 2.6%. This dispute predates two to three years ago when Apple’s Chief Executive was Steve Jobs.

Even then and now, Apple was handed the result in a mixed opinion but the majority were in favor of Apple against Samsung. An assistant professor of law at the University of Santa Clara, Brian Love, said, “the mixed opinion is upholding the bulk of its damages award and reinforcing the principles of design that the company sued to advance”.

He further added that Apple is right in a way, as it is the ‘true innovator’ of phones in the smartphone world. Hence, the dispute is known as one of most widely watched since 2012 between the two giants of the market. The jury concluded that Samsung had really violated several Apple patents out of which color, design, and appearance were highlighted the most.

Apple recently said that Samsung is trying to copy in order to increase its market share with its design.