Samsung, Apple bring patent dispute to U.S. Supreme Court

Samsung, Apple bring patent dispute to U.S. Supreme Court. October. 13, 2016 07:30. by 김지현기자 jhk85@donga.com.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments of Samsung Electronics and Apple on Tuesday to address the controversial patent design dispute between the world’s smartphone giants. It turned out that the hearing continued in favor of Samsung. During the first and second trials held in 2012 and 2015, Samsung had been asked to pay 399 million U.S. dollars in damages to its rival Apple following a verdict that Samsung infringed Apple’s three design patents, before Samsung took the case to the Supreme Court, saying, “The damages are inappropriate.”

This is the first design patent case that the U.S. Supreme Court heard in 122 years, bringing the eyes of the legal community in the U.S. On top of that, the clash between Samsung and Apple on design disputes over the last six years is finally headed to the U.S. highest court.

During the hearing, Samsung’s attorney, Kathleen Sullivan, told the court that it is inappropriate that Samsung has to turn over all of its profits on phones only for three design patents, which are a fraction of more than 200,000 patents contributed to a smartphone, adding that nobody buys a car just because they like the way it looks. Samsung's lawyer used the example of a Volkswagen Beetle to make the point.

One justice asked the Apple’s attorney if the attorney thinks Beetle’s unique body contour contributed to 90 percent of auto sales. Another justice also asked if it is appropriate that Samsung has to give all of its profits from smartphone business for infringement of certain design patents.

Apple’s attorney, Seth Waxman, said that the amount was decided by a jury in the previous trials.

Following the hearing, foreign media sources reported that the Supreme Court is likely to reduce Samsung’s penalties. The final verdict will be delivered in early next year.