A smartphone is a mobile phone built on a mobile operating system, with more advanced computing capability and connectivity than a feature phone. Intellectual property: its patents, trademarks, user interface and style have been subject of litigation claims by smartphone makers Apple Inc. and the Suwon, South Korea-based Samsung. Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Samsung Electronics Co. have another trial in San Jose, California, set to begin in March. The companies have agreed to retain a mediator to reach a settlement on their patent disputes over smartphone technology.
Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was the first of a series of ongoing lawsuits between Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics regarding the design of smartphones and tablet computers; between them, the companies made more than half of smartphones sold worldwide as of July 2012. By this time, the two companies were still embroiled in more than 50 lawsuits around the globe, with billions of dollars in damages claimed between them.
Apple won a ruling in its favor in the U.S., while Samsung won rulings in South Korea, Japan, and the UK. On June 4, 2013, Samsung won a limited ban from the U.S. International Trade Commission on sales of certain Apple products after the commission found Apple had violated a Samsung patent, but this was vetoed by U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman.
Apple Inc. released its new iPhones on Sept. 20, and is again seeking a court order banning sales in the U.S. of Samsung products. These are the same products that were called into question during the first trial. According to reports by Bloomberg News Apple said in a court filing that it needed the injunction to deter Samsung from releasing new products that also infringed its patents.
Apple spokeswoman, Kristin Huguet, declined to comment on the mediation as did Adam Yates, a spokesman for the South Korea-based Samsung Company.
Summary:
The battle between the smartphone giants continues. Apple won a ruling in its favor in the U.S., while Samsung won rulings in South Korea, Japan, and the UK. On June 4, 2013, Samsung won a limited ban from the U.S. International Trade Commission on sales of certain Apple products after the commission found Apple had violated a Samsung patent, but this was vetoed by U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. Apple Inc. released its new iPhones on Sept. 20, and is again seeking a court order banning sales in the U.S. of Samsung products. Apple said in a court filing that it needed the injunction to deter Samsung from releasing new products that also infringed its patents.
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