http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323478304578334540541100744.html?mod=djemalertNEWS
Judge Lucy Koh altered the terms of the $1 billion in damages that Samsung was initially ordered to pay, and changed Apple's patent award to around $600 million. The decision stemmed from a belief that Apple had not produced enough evidence of Samsung's theft of profit. Ironically, neither Samsung nor Apple had produced enough precedent cases to support their assertion of damages, despite the massive legal fees that both companies have provided to their lawyers.
The unfavorable decision for the Cupertino tech company may encourage Apple's rivals to step up litigation measures in light of the change in favorable legal winds. Additionally, the judge's settlement will lead to further appeals by Samsung and will extend enable the inanity of patent lawsuits.
I agree that this could encourage rivals of Apple to increase their litigation efforts and perhaps it will even discourage Apple from continuing to pursue legal action... I am curious how the $600 million reward compares to the exorbitant costs of having lawyers for these lawsuits.
ReplyDeleteI would think that Samsung would be forced to pay for all legal expenses, but still, the opportunity cost of spending (hundreds?) of millions dollars on suing is probably still really high.
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