The jury for the Apple vs. Samsung trial goes into deliberations today over the complex case over intellectual property rights in the multi-billion dollar mobile device industry.
While each company has filed its own lawsuit against the other, it seems the spotlight is shining more brightly on Apple, its complaints that Samsung is devastating its customer base and the notably large monetary reward that it is seeking from Samsung. Although it's alleged that both sides in this case may very well have valid points to make, recent news reports seem to be shedding more light on the accusations from Apple, and lacking on elaborations for the side of Samsung.
The background in this trial is that Samsung and Apple have each accused the other of using their patents without the proper licensing. Apple went on to allege that many of Samsung's products infringe even further on its intellectual property, including trademarks, user interface and style.
This trial is one of many between the two companies that are currently taking place all over the world, all over the same issues. Lawsuits have been filed in Tokyo, Seoul, Germany, Paris, Milan, Australia, and the U.K.
Samsung approached Apple's accusations about the similarities in their products by insisting that form follows function. Samsung lawyers argued to that court that Apple can't patent a "rectangle with rounded edges," and went on to say that "it's not against the law to be inspired by your competition."
Perhaps the main basis for Apple's allegations is that because of Samsung's deceptive "copying" of their products, consumers in stores would be likely to pick up a Samsung product while under the impression that it is one of Apple's devices. The consumer may then go on to mistakenly purchase the Samsung product, leading Apple to lose substantial amounts of revenue.
In response, Samsung lawyer Charles Verhoeven told the court that "customers make choices, not mistakes." According to reports, Verhoeven also noted that during the trial Apple never offered any evidence that would prove that consumers are confusing Samsung devices for Apple products because there is no such evidence in existence.
Samsung went on to allege that Apple is "seeking a competitive edge through the courtroom," and spoke of a bleak future if Apple were to win the case. Samsung lawyers painted a picture of a future where consumers and industry players would face "giant conglomerates, armed with patent arsenals that block competition."
On a related note, Google has also made its voice heard by major players in the mobile technology arena over similar patent issues. The company accused Apple, Oracle and Microsoft of trying to destroy the market for Android devices through patent litigation instead of innovating and competing with better products and services.