Samsung lost another battle to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). The South Korean tech giant is forced to pay both Apple and Nokia. A $2 million penalty was pinned on both Samsung and legal team Quinn Emanuel.
Samsung’s latest loss
Samsung and the company’s lawyers mishandled and leaked out confidential information regarding Apple and Nokia’s patent license data. In late 2013, three motions made by Samsung were delayed because it would stall the trial. Judge Lucy Koh denied the Samsung motions that she thought would prevent the further investigation of improper investigation.
The executives for Samsung learned about the terms of the patent licensing deal between Apple and Nokia through documents. But those documents were only intended for outside counsel and the expert witness.
The U.S. District Judge Paul Grewal found law firm Quinn Emanuel guilty of failure to provide safeguards for third-party confirmation. Grewal also found the firm guilty of failure to comply with the notice and cooperation requirements. The judge subsequently demanded Samsung and QE to reimburse both Apple and Nokia all costs incurred in the motion. Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) will received $1.145 million and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will receive $893, 825.
Quinn Emanuel’s involvement
Quinn Emanuel fought a good fight attempting to reduce the damages. The law group also noted that Apple accidentally posted a version of its licensing agreement with Nokia on its website. Unfortunately, it was not enough for Samsung and QE, both of which previously engaged in questionable behavior months prior to the accidental posting. What is worse is how QE failed to report the breach of trust after the matter.
Unfortunately, both companies also kept denying the allegations which only added to the list of legal fees. During the original lawsuit, Samsung was found guilty of infringing on three of the five patents Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) claimed was stolen. Samsung was then forced to pay up $120 million to rival.
H/T Electronista
