Recap of the Apple vs. Samsung Case
Despite Apple and Samsung’s history together and how they have some form of partnership; there is no escape from the minefield which is the software patent system. Samsung has been accused of ripping off Apple’s security system, event recognition software, its product design and packaging, and its general user interface. Since the nature of Apple’s patents on these features is quite broad, Samsung couldn’t win the case, and was ordered to give Apple $1.049 billion in damages despite a counter-suit. Although patents have been around for nearly 225 years in the United States, this case holds high significance due to the nature of its market.
The smartphone market is a hostile battleground, with each company trying to get a leg up on the others. Despite so much competition, manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung have thrived on their smartphone designs; however, this case sets a precedent on software patent infringement, and may cause a sharp change in the way to market functions. If Apple owns many patents over technology, the pressure to create new and different designs is on every other company in the market. However, new development is costly, and since other manufacturers can’t make anything close to the iPhone according to the case, the future of competition in the market is in jeopardy. On the other side, this might promote exciting new designs that could revolutionize the market, and make the iPhone look obsolete. However, for the time being, Apple seems to be the juggernaut in the smartphone market.
The smartphone market is a hostile battleground, with each company trying to get a leg up on the others. Despite so much competition, manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung have thrived on their smartphone designs; however, this case sets a precedent on software patent infringement, and may cause a sharp change in the way to market functions. If Apple owns many patents over technology, the pressure to create new and different designs is on every other company in the market. However, new development is costly, and since other manufacturers can’t make anything close to the iPhone according to the case, the future of competition in the market is in jeopardy. On the other side, this might promote exciting new designs that could revolutionize the market, and make the iPhone look obsolete. However, for the time being, Apple seems to be the juggernaut in the smartphone market.
Timeline of the Apple vs. Samsung Case
This is an interactive timeline. You have the ability to zoom in and out, scroll left and right, and click on events to bring up details and links.