A retrial over Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patents infringed upon by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) is just beginning, and the sides are pretty far from coming to an agreement. Today’s trial is a retrial for some of the damages that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was awarded in August of 2012. A nine person jury awarded Apple damages of more than $1 billion, but the judge struck $450 million off of the sum after a jury error.
In the opening statements delivered by lawyers for the firms, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) said that it was looking for $380 million in total damages for the patent infringement. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) said that it would pay $52 million. There is a clear gulf between the companies, and it may be a long time before the jury decides what amount of money to send Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s way.
Apple / Samsung patent retrial
The trial, which is taking place in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, is being overseen by patent war veteran Judge Lucy Koh. $450 million of the $1 billion awarded to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) last year has to be retried because of an “impermissible legal theory” used by the jury to calculate some of the damages.
The retrial is designed to find out exactly how much Samsung will have to pay to end the case, but the company doesn’t seem all that willing to end the battle quickly. The patent wars have been raging for a long time. Both Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) are dug in, and neither seems willing to give up an inch unless forced. Judge Lucy Koh remains optimistic, however, and reiterated calls for the company to settle another patent case, due to start in March.
Apple / Samsung patent war
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is the most profitable company in the smart phone world, and it has also proved one of the most litigious. The company has brought legal battles about its patents against many of its rivals, and it has won several of those court proceedings. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) is the company’s biggest rival and it has been a participant in some of the most bitter battles over patents.
The patent wars rage on, and they show no signs of stopping. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been put in a tough place in the smartphone industry as margins slide, and the company is doing its best to bleed profits from Samsung to punish the Korean company for its competition.
