In the biggest patent war of the year, Samsung was ordered by a US jury to pay Apple more than $1 billion in damages for violating its patents. In Germany, the tables have turned. Both Motorola and Samsung were triumphant over Apple in a German patent dispute.
The iPad maker claimed that Motorola and Samsung infringed on its patents that relate to “touch events”. These are features found in Apple’s iOS, which respond to the touch inputs of the user.
Although the German court is yet to announce which way it rules, Florian Mueller, a patent expert, says that the Cupertino firm’s claims are too vague to make them win the case. It is due to these vague claims that Apple lost similar lawsuits in the Netherlands and in the UK.
This recent victory has given both Android manufacturers a reason to celebrate. This win has broken their losing streak.
Back in Thursday, Motorola was found guilty of violating Microsoft-owned patents. Microsoft now has the option of either demanding a license fee from the Google-owned company or enforce an injunction banning the sale of specific Motorola Android-powered products.
Back in August, Samsung lost an epic legal battle against Apple in the US. Samsung was ordered to pay Apple more than $1 billion in damages, but it has now been reported that Apple is demanding up to $3 billion.
Some may find Apple to be the antagonist here, but Motorola and Samsung are far from victims. They have also played a huge role in trying to beat its rivals through filing patent disputes.
Motorola has attempted to ban the Xbox 360 (Microsoft’s gaming console) from being sold in shops. The Korean tech giant has also filed counter-claim after counter-claim against Apple.
Will these legal tussles between industry giants ever end? Sadly, it is just beginning to intensify.
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