Apple wants to add six more significant Samsung devices to patent trial
Much can be said about Apple in these ongoing patent wars between itself and the likes of Samsung and HTC, but one thing that’s 100% undeniable is that the bitten fruit company has been ruthless. Apple is going after anything and everything it can from any company that poses to a considerable threat to its profit margins, and the trend will continue starting this week.
It’s been reported that Apple has filed to have six more Samsung devices added to its case against the South Korean company. The Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3 Mini, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9 WiFi, and the Samsung Rugby Pro have all been targeted in Apple’s latest move to shut Samsung down wherever and however it can.
You might want to note that the filing has been made with Judge Lucy Koh, the same controversial Judge who ordered Samsung to pay Apple $1.05 billion in damages for patent infringement. Appeals processes are still ongoing for those particular proceedings, but it will be interesting to see if that result will serve as the basis for another Apple victory here.
These patent lawsuits are bad from the outside looking in, but Samsung’s bottom line might be unaffected in the grand scheme of things. Appeals can draw a decision out for a period long enough that enforcement of a ruling typically doesn’t take effect until a device has run its course in retail.
Such is the case with the Samsung Galaxy S2 line that Apple went after so aggressively — the focus is already on the Galaxy S3, and rumors have it that the Galaxy S4 is getting ready to take center stage soon. Likewise, the trial for these new devices are said to begin in March 2014 should Judge Koh grant Apple its wishes, and nothing significant would happen until 2015 at the earliest.
There is still some strategic importance for Apple to pursue these lawsuits, though. For starters, a successful case (where Apple wins the decision and ultimately beats appeals) would give the Cupertino company legal precedents for future lawsuits, making it easier for them to enforce injunctions on devices in the long run.
It also helps accelerate a possible settlement or cross-licensing agreement between itself and Samsung should either side give in (though we don’t see that happening for quite some time). But for now, the beat goes on and this battle will continue to get more interesting each and every day.
[via Electronista]