Google and Samsung respond to Apple vs. Samsung judgement
The recently decided Apple vs. Samsung lawsuit – with a verdict worth over $1 billion – is destined to be a big deal, and certainly isn’t over yet. Samsung will appeal, Apple will file for injunctions, and other parties that could potentially be affected by the outcome will try to make the most out of the intricacies of the decision. Other than Apple, there are two large companies that had a lot at stake in the trial: Samsung and Google. We obviously don’t have their full reactions, but both companies have released statements about the outcome of the case.
First up is Samsung, who unsurprisingly says that it is “very disappointed by the verdict at the US District Court.” After insisting that it will “continue to do its utmost until our arguments have been accepted,” it notes that “The NDCA verdict starkly contrasts decisions made by courts in a number of other countries.” Basically, Samsung doesn’t want this kind of verdict to become the standard or expected result.
Samsung closes by stating that it doesn’t think a company whose “primary means to competition has been the outright abuse of patent law, not the pursuit of innovation.” can succeed, and that “We trust that the consumers and the market will side with those who prioritize innovation over litigation, and we will prove this beyond doubt.” This is all very carefully said by Samsung, but also quite aggressive in calling out Apple for its use of patents. While Apple may have won this important case, it is clear that the battle isn’t even close to over for Samsung.
Google, on the other hand, is trying to distance itself from this loss. Its statement is shorter than Samsung’s, and the full text can be found below.
The court of appeals will review both infringement and the validity of the patent claims. Most of these don’t relate to the core Android operating system, and several are being re-examined by the US Patent Office. The mobile industry is moving fast and all players — including newcomers — are building upon ideas that have been around for decades. We work with our partners to give consumers innovative and affordable products, and we don’t want anything to limit that.
While the company makes it clear that it has nothing to do with Samsung’s customization, it does support Samsung with its much more cordial acknowledgement of the review process that is sure to come, as well as making sure to say that all companies build on other’s ideas – even Apple.
Although I don’t agree with all of Apple’s claims, I do have to say that I think it may actually be good that Samsung lost this case. Just as Google said, I don’t think Android itself infringes on Apple’s patents, and if it does the patents are likely so broad that they need to be reexamined. However, I do think that in some ways, Samsung went out of its way to make TouchWiz look like iOS, and its packaging look like Apple’s. This shouldn’t constitute an outright ban of their hardware, but hopefully it will cause Samsung to be more careful with its designs, and maybe even force it to make its software more unique. If it does, then this verdict might not be all bad for Google and Android, and could even be beneficial to Samsung. (Provided the fine gets reduced a bit.)
[Samsung Tomorrow | The Verge]
