It appears the jury has finally reached a verdict in the Apple, Samsung feud over patent infringements, and decided that Samsung should pay Apple over $290 million for violating patents, slightly less than the $380 million Apple had requested.
In the month of August last year, a different jury revealed that Samsung was guilty of infringing Apple patents with a slew of devices. Initially, Samsung was ordered to pay Apple $1.049 billion in damages, but after furthur legal examination, judge Lucy Koh cut the amount down to less than $600 million.
According to a jury verdict form, the total amount comes to $290,456,793, which is a massive drop from more than $450 million figure that Koh reached. Though, certainly not the kind of number Samsung was hoping for. Apple was targetting an amount of $380 million out the retrial, while Samsung was hoping it could get away with a mere $52 million.
The fact that the jury reached a verdict this week, was a bit of surprise, as it seems they had other priorities. The Verge reports that ” they (the jury) had been recently engaging in a back and forth over their lunch menu”, not the kind of attitude you would expect from a jury close to wrapping things up. That’s not all, before coming out to read the verdict, one of the jury’s last request was that they be provided with an artist’s depiction of them in the courtroom, apparently trying to make the most of the situation.
Finally, after a 30 minute review, the jury got back to discuss their thoughts. While Samsung had no objections, Apple reportedly was cribbing over a mere two dollars. Finally both sides agreed not to dispute over the amount, and the jury was dismissed for the day.
Of course, one chapter closes and a new one starts, Samsung will certainly appeal today’s decision, and so will Apple, trying to mint some more money. The only way to end this battle, that date backs to April 2011, would be a settlement agreement, which still seems to be a very distant possibility.
In a recent update, Apple has commented on the verdict,”For Apple, this case has always been about more than patents and money,” the statement reads. “It has been about innovation and the hard work that goes into inventing products that people love. While it’s impossible to put a price tag on those values, we are grateful to the jury for showing Samsung that copying has a cost.”
Samsung also had their insights on the verdict and this is what they have to say,”We are disappointed by today’s decision, which is based in large part on a patent that the US Patent and Trademark Office has recently deemed invalid. While we move forward with our post-trial motions and appeals, we will continue to innovate with groundbreaking technologies and great products that are loved by our many customers all around the world.”
