Apple suing Samsung, Samsung suing Apple back, Google buying Motorola (and its patent portfolio) and suing Apple, the patent wars are really starting to heat up again!
In my experience so far as a writer here at Redmond Pie, I haven’t really noticed any company gaining anything significant from patent infringement. Company A sues Company B on basis on certain patents, Company B finds Company A infringing on its patents and sues back, and then both companies’ legal departments remain busy for a number of months and years, eventually resulting in either a minor out of court settlement, or a ban from the courts (which is usually temporary since the infringing company quickly changes it products’ infringing features to agree to conditions). If a company is lucky though, they may manage to get a licensing deal out of it, but that’s not very common.
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the Apple vs. Samsung case that is being fought in multiple countries on basis of multiple patent infringements. We cover it regularly here at Redmond Pie, so I’m sure you’re already familiar with it.
Now, according to Associated Press, courts in South Korea have stated that while Samsung did not copy the “look and feel” of the iPhone, it does infringe upon the bounce-back scrolling effect patent. Apple, too, has infringed Samsung’s wireless technology. As a result, certain products from both companies have been banned from sale in the country.
Wall Street Journal states that “none of the banned products are latest models of Samsung or Apple devices”. This means that the Galaxy S III, iPhone 4S, new iPad and Galaxy Tab 2.0 tablets will continue to be sold throughout the country. iPhone 3GS, 4, iPad 2 and Galaxy S II are likely casualties of this verdict.
Since these devices aren’t sold at a high scale in South Korea, it shouldn’t effect Apple or Samsung’s business in the country.
As part of the ruling, Samsung is to pay 25 million won (that’s only $22,000) to Apple, while Apple is to pay 40 million won ($35,200).
Patent-based lawsuits aren’t going anywhere, so stay tuned to Redmond Pie for the latest news!
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