It’s safe to say that both Samsung and Apple have very different reactions to today’s verdict in Apple’s case against Samsung. While we wait for Samsung’s inevitable appeal, Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction hearing on Samsung’s infringing products and Judge Koh has set September 20th as the date for the hearing. Apple will have to file it’s motion before August 29th, allowing Samsung 14 days to respond.
Meanwhile, both companies have released brief statements on the verdict.
On a side note, I know it’s easy to criticize this decision on a number of levels. Accusing the jury of being bias towards Apple seems like an outrageous accusation. It’s as easy to believe some of the jury members were iPhone owners as much as they are Samsung television owners. Let’s try and keep the argument on a level that discusses the merits of the case, and not your personal feelings toward either company. I get it, some of you don’t like Apple, some of you don’t like Samsung, but let’s keep it civil.
Samsung:
Today’s verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer. It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies. Consumers have the right to choices, and they know what they are buying when they purchase Samsung products. This is not the final word in this case or in battles being waged in courts and tribunals around the world, some of which have already rejected many of Apple’s claims. Samsung will continue to innovate and offer choices for the consumer.
Apple:
We are grateful to the jury for their service and for investing the time to listen to our story and we were thrilled to be able to finally tell it. The mountain of evidence presented during the trail showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than even we knew. The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung were about much more than patents or money. They were about values. At Apple, we value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. We make these products to delight our customers, not for our competitors to flagrantly copy. We applaud the court for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.