Well. Apple wins $1 billion in patent case against Samsung

[thushan]

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/apple-wins-1-billion-in-patent-case-against-samsung-20120825-24st7.html

Goddamnit.

[lexitu]

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/apple-wins-1-billion-in-patent-case-against-samsung-20120825-24st7.html

Goddamnit.

Samsung needs to pay for infringing on Apple's patents and trade dress, as simple as that. Consumers will be better for this too, and hopefully Apple and Google will reach an agreement to stop the frivolous aspects of these lawsuits.

[paulsterio]

With all due respect, I think Apple is more interested in stopping the sales of Samsung (and other Android phones) for that matter moreso than actually protecting its patents. This is what you call a patent war - patents are merely the arsenal for these companies to fire at each other. Their end result is not the protection of their arsenal, but them stopping and killing the other side.

[lexitu]

The case held up in a court of law - they are within their rights to, and have obligations to their shareholders to do so. Also, I do think it protects the consumer (from being mislead) and it will also foster innovation, and force Samsung to build their own brand - they have started to do that in some respects (e.g. Galaxy SIII).

No one should be able to free ride off the brand that Apple has built with the iPhone.

[MJRomeo81]

 “Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal”

- Steve Jobs, 1996. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU )

Apple are a joke. Here are five words that describe Apple: If you can't innovate, litigate.

[lexitu]

“Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal”

- Steve Jobs, 1996. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU )

Apple are a joke. Here are five words that describe Apple: If you can't innovate, litigate.

Misinterpret at your own peril.

[MJRomeo81]

“Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal”

- Steve Jobs, 1996. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU )

Apple are a joke. Here are five words that describe Apple: If you can't innovate, litigate.

Misinterpret at your own peril.

I understand he was quoting Picasso but seriously Apple are scared of competition. Go and take a look at the 1st gen LG PRADA. Why aren't Apple suing LG? Apple is just bitter they got smoked by a Korean Company. They might as well file lawsuits against other companies for using rounded squares. Apple should be ashamed of themselves.

[paulsterio]

Btw, I don't think this "protecting the consumer from being misled" is a good excuse. I know that Apple uses it in courts and basically says that consumers have a hard time distinguishing between its and Samsung's products, but in all honestly, consumers have got to be stupid if they can't see the difference between an Apple and a Samsung product.

Anyway, I don't think either Apple or Samsung are really infringing on eachother's patents. Most of Apple's patents are ridiculous anyway - but the crux of the issue is that there are only certain ways which you can make something. For example, Apple sued HTC for the whole thing where you can tap on a phone number in an e-mail and it brings up a menu as to whether to call them or to save to contacts - things like that are pretty much common sense and I think Apple aren't the first to have created it, they would have just copied it from somewhere else and eventually it spreads to become quite a standard.

Then when Apple sees a threat, they will sue, regardless of the fact that there are so many other phones out there with the same feature that Apple isn't suing because they see no threat.

[lexitu]

Btw, I don't think this "protecting the consumer from being misled" is a good excuse. I know that Apple uses it in courts and basically says that consumers have a hard time distinguishing between its and Samsung's products, but in all honestly, consumers have got to be stupid if they can't see the difference between an Apple and a Samsung product.

Anyway, I don't think either Apple or Samsung are really infringing on eachother's patents. Most of Apple's patents are ridiculous anyway - but the crux of the issue is that there are only certain ways which you can make something. For example, Apple sued HTC for the whole thing where you can tap on a phone number in an e-mail and it brings up a menu as to whether to call them or to save to contacts - things like that are pretty much common sense and I think Apple aren't the first to have created it, they would have just copied it from somewhere else and eventually it spreads to become quite a standard.

Then when Apple sees a threat, they will sue, regardless of the fact that there are so many other phones out there with the same feature that Apple isn't suing because they see no threat.

It's not as simple as that. iPhone - like Kleenex, iPod, Pino Cleen - is a whole lot more to consumers. Therefore, if Samsung imitates the branding of the iPhone, they tap into the smartphone market that has been revolutionised and symbolised by the iPhone. Just like when many people go searching for an MP3 player, they look for an iPod, even if they do not end up buying an Apple product. It is little wonder that Samsung used the most deceptive images in their marketing - e.g. the app grid was open on the Galaxy S. The jury found not only that Samsung violated Apple's patents, but also trade dress, and all of this was intentional. Therefore, the patent argument simply doesn't hold up.

[paulsterio]

But I can't help but admit that Apple's patents are ridiculous, like they have a patent for having rounded corners on their app icons - like they didn't "invent" that - they were just the first to patent it and it's a common sense aesthetic which doesn't deserve a patent.

Like I'm a fan of patents for technology in general so that those who invent something get credits for it - but I think there is a limit where enough is enough and the fact that Apple is stocking up on patents with the sole intent of using it to sue later on (it's true - Apple patents the most ridiculous things) is crossing the line.

I agree with certain things - such as the patenting of the design look (the Galaxy S with its home button does look like the iPhone) but many other software patents it's suing for is quite ridiculous.

[thushan]

But I can't help but admit that Apple's patents are ridiculous, like they have a patent for having rounded corners on their app icons - like they didn't "invent" that - they were just the first to patent it and it's a common sense aesthetic which doesn't deserve a patent.

Like I'm a fan of patents for technology in general so that those who invent something get credits for it - but I think there is a limit where enough is enough and the fact that Apple is stocking up on patents with the sole intent of using it to sue later on (it's true - Apple patents the most ridiculous things) is crossing the line.

I agree with certain things - such as the patenting of the design look (the Galaxy S with its home button does look like the iPhone) but many other software patents it's suing for is quite ridiculous.

A possible solution could be that Samsung gives a share of its profits to Apple, having bought the "rights" to make their version of the iPhone? Just a model I had in mind. This draws some parallels with patents in the pharmaceutical industry. Don't get me started on the pharmaceutical industry.

[sam.utute]

http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20120623/00213319445/judge-posner-rips-apart-apples-patent-litigation-strategy-being-really-annoyed-is-no-reason-to-sue.shtml

Apple is clearly using the court system to hamper its competition.

[paulsterio]

Don't think that would work Thush, Samsung would never agree to pay

[sam.utute]

Best source for information regarding the legal aspects of tech trials:

http://www.groklaw.net/

Seriously, Apple is heading down the Microsoft path of filing frivolous law suits in order to destroy their competition.

I've been using Apple products since 2003 and I think their tactics are disgusting.

[MJRomeo81]

Has anyone come across that fake news article where Samsung rocked up at Apple HQ with 30 trucks full of 5 cent coins? If only it were true.