Back in 2010, when HTC released the Android-smartphone with iPhone-like features, Steve Jobs sued and said: ?I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple?s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong. I?m going to destroy Android, because it?s a stolen product. I?m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.?. And the patent war began ...
Last Saturday, Apple won a decisive victory in this war. And the main victim from the Android side is not HTC and not Google, but Samsung (which has actually created the army of androids). The California court (in Apple's home) ordered Samsung to pay $1.05 billion for infringing Apple?s patents. The court also found that Samsung?s actions were willful and this means that Apple can now ask the judge to triple the prize.
Except this money punishment, Samsung will have to do something with some its (illegal) devices which are still selling in the U.S. - either to license them, or withdraw from the market, or adjust. Given that this list includes Galaxy S II and Galaxy Tab, this punishment may be also very serious.
Of course, there will be an appeal and further court proceedings, but most likely, the Samsung's losses will only increase.
What does this loss of $1-3 billion mean to Samsung? Of course, Samsung - is not just a phone manufacturer. This company builds cars, ships and cities. But, at least for the mobile unit it will be a significant punch. How it will affect the company, drive it to crisis or, conversely, encourage it for new achievements - is unknown. It's also unknown, how the billion of dollars, falling from the sky, will affect Apple's future.
At least, after the court verdict Samsung shares tumbled, while Apple shares jumped up.
It's also interesting what this Apple's victory means for customers. Obviously, the Apple fanboys - will remain Apple fanboys. Android fans will hate Apple even more. And what about those who don't care? It's possible that having heard the court verdict: "Samsung - is the same as the iPhone", they will think "Then why I would pay more for the iPhone or iPad, if I can buy the SAME cheaper device from Samsung?". Then Samsung's billion loss can easily turn into the excellent marketing investment.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/liventerprise/~3/KP2ah7LLSRE/
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