Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co.: An Exploration of Patent Law and Ever-Evolving Technology

Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co.:

An Exploration of Patent Law and Ever-Evolving Technology

April 15, 2011 marks the date that kick-started the most high-profile US design patent cases of all time; a lawsuit that could possibly change the face of technology as we know it. Apple Inc. sued Samsung Electronics Co. on the grounds that Samsung’s smartphones as well as tablets infringed upon Apple’s technology and design patents (Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., 2013). Deemed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to be “The Patent Trial of the Century”, the case drew an extraordinary amount of worldwide attention, grabbing the headlines and taking center stage. The jury found that Samsung had infringed Apple’s design patents on the home button, and rounded corners of the phone, as well as their utility patents covering the “bounce back effect,” and “tap to zoom” functions (L., 2013). Samsung was asked to pay Apple $1.05 billion in damages (Stern, 2012). The case is likely to be re-examined, however, as appeals have already been filed. Impacting the product design of new technologies for years to come, this lawsuit has provided an opportunity for experts to further understand the scope of design rights and determine how close is too close in regards to design patent infringement (Carani, 2012). Patent laws are impeding to the point of prohibiting new products created by emerging or existing companies from entering the market; furthermore, patent laws have made it possible for current technology-producing companies to seemingly create a monopoly on technology design.

Knowing the law is not only the key to understanding the reasoning behind the jury’s verdict but also in ensuring that infringeme...

... middle of paper ...

...esign-cycle/4395601/Apple-won--so-what-now-for-designers-

Savitz, E. (2011). New Patent Law Means Trouble For Tech Entrepreneurs. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2011/09/20/new-patent-law-means-trouble-for-tech-entrepreneurs/

Stern, J. (August 27, 2012). Apple v. Samsung: What Verdict Means for You and the Tech Industry. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/apple-samsung-verdict-tech-industry/story?id=17087657

Tanielian, M. (April 15, 2013). Comments of the Coalition for Patent Fairness. United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1-22. Retrieved from http://www.uspto.gov/ip/global/patents/comments/753609930-1_cpf_-_letter_to_uspto.pdf

Walker, M. (March 5, 2009). Economists say copyright and patent laws are killing innovation; hurting economy. Retrieved from http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/13656.aspx