And just like that, within a matter of days, the jury has reached a verdict in Apple vs. Samsung. The basic gist is simple: Apple's software patents are valid, and many Samsung devices infringe upon them. Apple's iPhone 3G trade dress is valid, and Samsung's Galaxy S line infringes, but other devices did not. Samsung did not infringe Apple's iPad design patent. Apple did not infringe any of Samsung's patents. Apple is awarded a little over $1 billion in damages. Competition lost today, and developers in the United States should really start to get worried - software patents got validated big time today.
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Member since:2005-11-13
Well, I don't see Google or Samsung on Capital Hill demanding an end to software patents, so it's hard for me to feel sorry for either of them. When you are a willing participant in a fight and get the shit kicked out of you, well... sucks to be you.
This is simply a case of big companies doing what big companies do. Samsung is going to appeal this, and of course it will drag on for several more years, and tech blogs will continue to be polluted with this incessant bullshit.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-12-14
"Well, I don't see Google or Samsung on Capital Hill demanding an end to software patents"
A valid point re: Samsung, not so with Google.
I was very surprised that Samsung didn't follow Google's lead (in the Java/Android case) and ask the patent office to invalidate Apple's patents in advance of the trial. If they truly are invalid, as many people thing, then a re-examination would invalidate them. The tactic worked very well for Google - and happens outside the truly ludicrous time restriction on arguments in the court room.
The only reason I could come up with for Samsung not challenging the patents in that way is that they didn't want the same to happen to theirs.
Member since:2006-07-18
1. Maybe finally, the justice system will realize that too much energy is spent on these patent trials. Maybe the pressure will build to lobby for more sensible laws, hopefully restricting patents in time, also depending on whether they are being used, and to deny "obvious" patent applications.
2. The whole situation was brought upon the world by Microsoft blatantly cashing in on (a) PCDOS, and marketing MSDOS instead; (b) "copying" (and getting almost everything wrong in doing so, but that's a different story:) Apple's user interface. Formally, they couldn't be blamed, because neither PCDOS nor the MacOS GUI were properly protected at the time, and Microsoft cleverly negociated contracts that turned out to let them get away with the whole thing. In order not to fall in this trap again with the iPhone et al., Steve Jobs told the world: "and boy, have we patented this..."
Member since:2010-01-08
Well, I don't see Google or Samsung on Capital Hill demanding an end to software patents, so it's hard for me to feel sorry for either of them. When you are a willing participant in a fight and get the shit kicked out of you, well... sucks to be you.
Sorry for not having quotes right now but Google did say numerous times it was against software patents and also it never used them offensively.
Member since:2005-11-02
I have not nor will I ever buy an Apple product. I was going to add or a Microsoft product, but then I remember I actually bought MSDOS 6.0 many years ago.
No Apple or MS operating systems in our household. My desktop runs Ubunttu, my wife has a Linux netbook and an Android tablet. We both have dumbphones. I was thinking of buying a Sumsung Android phone. This decision is encouraging me to do so.
Boycott Apple products! Death to Apple!
Edited 2012-08-25 02:37 UTC
Member since:2007-09-22
Member since:2005-07-06
the court was bought by apple
the one who gave me a -1 is an apple retard!
The fact that Samsung fails to provide me with an Android 4.1.1 update for a Samsung Galaxy S (released March 2010 - slightly over 2 years old) has resulted me take their mobile phone products of my list of possible options in the future. See, unlike YOUR post, mine is actually based on something empirical, their crap software support and not like your basis which is nothing more than chucking a hissy fit like a 6 year old getting told that they're not going to go to McDonalds for their birthday.
Member since:2009-05-19
Member since:2005-09-01
Member since:2005-07-31
Melin said: Apple is going to be banned forever in my home and if my work place gets apple products i will not touch them...
I agree!
I will NEVER buy an Apple product. The company has stifled innovation.
However, the US Patent system is the real villain here. Patents for rectangles should never have been allowed.
Australia has both patents and registered designs, the rectangle boxes may have been a registered design (I don't know how, but...) but NOT a patent.
What is ironical here is the fact that Apple got its post Apple ][ start by "stealing" Xerox patents when it developed the Lisa and then the Macintosh.
Regards,
Peter
Edited 2012-08-27 07:05 UTC
Member since:2007-09-06
You may need to re-read your history (or I do, given fact checked sources).
Xerox gave Apple ( Steve Jobs + a team of engineers with notebooks.. to be specific) permission to tour the facilities, take notes and use ideas. Apple gave Xerox a lump of shares.
I have no love of Apple but the "Apple stole from Xerox" myth needs to die.
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Member since:
2005-07-06
Apple is going to be banned forever in my home and if my work place gets apple products i will not touch them
the court was bought by apple
the one who gave me a -1 is an apple retard!
Edited 2012-08-25 00:27 UTC