A California jury has slapped Samsung Electronics with more than US$1 billion in damages for violating patents held by Apple Inc. The jury, which took 21 hours to reach is verdict — considered fast by some in a very complex trial –rejected claims that Samsung infringed Apple patents.
A hearing will be held Sept. 20 to decide if the sale of certain Samsung handsets will be banned in the U.S. The verdict has no immediate effect in Canada, so Samsung devices will continue to sell here. However, there’s a question of whether Google will have to make changes to its Android operating system to make sure its look doesn’t infringe on Apple’s interface. That may mean users will see some unexpected changes when they upgrade Android operating systems — for example, putting icons in unfamiliar places.
Here’s a roundup of coverage:
First, the basic verdict story from CNET.com, with the facts of the jury’s decision.
SiliconValley.com reports the jury found Samsung’s Fascinate, Epic 4G and Galaxy S II smartphones were overboard enough that warranted more than US$100 million each in damages for copying the iPhone, although the panel spared Samsung much punishment for infringing the iPad. Although both sides are expected to appeal, one law professor says the verdict will be hard to overturn.
A story from ComputerWorld U.S. quotes a jury expert who says the speed of the verdict doesn’t show the jury was rushed. He argues that the the consistency of the decision shows jurors considered all the facts.
Meanwhile a Forbes columnist says the verdict is really a shot at Google, which makes the Android operating system Samsung handsets run on.
The New York Times quotes a Forrester Research analyst saying initially consumers could find themselves with mobile devices they aren’t familiar with as manufacturers make sure they don’t infringe on Apple patents.