Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has backed Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930)’s legal fight against Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)‘s patent infringement claims by offering funds, according to emails exchanged between the two companies. James Maccoun, Google’s patent attorney, whose videotaped testimony was presented in court by Apple as evidence, accepted the fact that emails were exchanged between Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Samsung from 2012, says a report from Bloomberg.
Google, Samsung signed cooperation agreement
In the emails, it was mentioned that the search engine giant will defend Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) against Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in a case related to patent infringement. The emails also read that Google will provide financial assistance to the Korean electronics maker.
“I see [indemnify] as a general term relating to providing a defense against claims and then can mean other things depending on the outcome of litigation,” Maccoun said during his deposition on Tuesday.
Both Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Samsung signed a “Mobile Application Distribution Agreement” under which the Korean company would offer space to Google apps in the Galaxy devices. In return, Google would promise to help with the technological issues with the legal suit faced by Samsung.
“I understand that Google is defending Samsung and that this is reflected by emails,” Maccoun said.
Google personal interest at stake
Samsung smartphones are powered by the Google’s Android system and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has mentioned most of the points against Android in its second U.S. trial against the Suwon, South Korea-based maker of Galaxy phones.
If Samsung wins, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) will see a huge financial profit, which would even be greater then what the company agreed to pay. On the other hand, if Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) wins the case, sales of Samsung phones having Android features will be barred from selling in the United States.
The role of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) can be understood from the fact that Samsung’s lawyer in his opening statement to the court said that the case is an attack on Android.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is demanding $2.2 billion from Samsung over the breach of five patents, whereas Samsung is claiming as little as $7 million from Apple for breaching two of its patents. The Galaxy Smartphone maker has already stated that four patents that Apple is claiming are covered by Google’s Android operating system. There is no detail over the amount that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) has promised to pay to Samsung.
