Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) faces allegations from Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94), which says that the tech giant’s smartphones use technology that’s protected by a patent. The trial began on Wednesday in London.
According to Samsung attorneys, the technology utilized in Apple’s smartphones that enable them to send and receive data on third-generation mobile networks is protected by a patent owned by Samsung. However ,Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) attorneys argued that those patents aren’t valid. They also said Samsung should license key pieces of technology under fair terms if they are needed for devices to be able to connect to modern networks.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) have clashed repeatedly over the intellectual property rights for smartphones and other mobile devices. Just three months ago, Apple and Samsung faced off in a California courtroom in a case that resulted in Samsung being forced to pay Apple $1.05 billion for infringements regarding Apple technology.
The latest court battle is expected to last three weeks and will not set a price, if any, that Apple may have to pay to Samsung. If the court does decide that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) did indeed infringe upon a patent owned by Samsung, then the amount of the damages due will be decided later.
A spokesperson for Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) told Bloomberg, “Apple has refused to negotiate in good faith, and continues to use our patented technologies without any license. We will continue to take all appropriate measures to put an end to Apple’s free-riding.”
A spokesperson for Apple has not commented on the case, but according to court filings, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) says that its chip-maker Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), has been licensed to use patents owned by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94). Samsung’s attorneys countered by saying that Apple hasn’t shown interest in buying a license to use their technology.
