Apple - Samsung faceoff

In the war of patents, Apple has taken out its patent sword against Samsung for infringing number of Apple’s patents. Apple believes that Samsung’s Galaxy line of phones which were introduced in mid-2010 and tablets launched last year are infringing Apple’s patents obtained in 2009 and 2010 which cover physical design of iPhone along with various trademarks for its application icons. It is believed that Samsung products have vociferous resemblance right from hardware to user interface to packaging to Apple products like iPhone and iPad. Apple filed law suits with hefty accusations against Samsung seeking injunctions, actual damages, punitive damages and alleged that infringement was willful. Apple alleges 10 charges of patent infringement, two of trademark violation and two of trade dress violations plus unjust enrichment and unfair business practices. 

Samsung being one of the largest US patent recipient and chip supplier to Apple, the battle’s result would be interesting to watch as business is at stake for both the companies. 

Authored by Sanjiv Sharan

Image from Wikimedia Commons